Do contact lenses expire?

Contact lenses offer a convenient way to correct your vision in a frame-free alternative to wearing glasses. However, like many other medical devices, they don’t last forever. Contacts typically expire about four years after their packaging date, though this can vary by manufacturer.

Contact lenses expire for various reasons, and having this knowledge is essential for protecting your eyes and vision. Read on to learn why contacts go bad, whether you can wear expired contact lenses, and if expiration dates also apply to contact lens solutions.

Where to find the expiration date on contact lenses

All contact lenses have expiration dates, even those used for decorative or aesthetic purposes, such as coloured contacts.

The expiration date on contact lenses is usually found on one end of the box in which the contacts are packaged. It’s commonly denoted by an hourglass symbol, the letters “EXP,” and one of the following formats:

• Year, month, and day (e.g., 2028-05-01)
• Year and month (e.g., EXP 2028-05)

(Note: The format may vary by manufacturer.)

The expiration date can also be found on the individual blister packs containing each lens. It is often presented in one of the formats listed above.

The manufacturing date may also be printed on the box of contacts and the blister packs. This date may be preceded by a building or factory-like symbol, though this is not always the case. Knowing the difference between the manufacturing and expiration dates helps prevent any confusion.

Contacts can go bad after their expiry date, so be sure to check the date before using them.

Why do contact lenses expire?

Contacts have an expiration date for the following reasons:

Solution degradation 

It’s important to note that the lenses themselves don’t expire — it’s the solution they’re packaged in that has an expiration date. Over time, the ingredients in the solution break down and become less effective at keeping the lenses sterile. This can place your eyes at risk of infection and other issues.

Microbial growth

Expired contacts, or rather the solution they’re packaged in, can harbour bacteria, fungi, and other microbes, each of which can cause eye infections, unpleasant symptoms, and vision concerns.

Replacement schedule

You should not wear your contacts beyond the time recommended by your optician or indicated on the packaging, even if the product hasn’t yet reached the expiration date.

For instance, daily, two-weekly, and monthly disposable soft contacts should be discarded after wearing them for one day, two weeks, or one month, respectively, or that amount of time from when the individual blister pack is opened. So, even if you don’t wear your monthly disposable lenses every day, you should still replace them after the one-month period ends.

Non-disposable contacts, such as rigid gas-permeable lenses, are typically worn for longer periods. Be sure to follow the replacement schedule provided by your eye care professional. 

Do contact lenses expire if not opened?

Yes, contact lenses expire, even if the blister pack is not opened. The solution the lens is packaged in contains ingredients that help keep the contacts sterile — but these ingredients have a shelf life. Once expired, the contacts become unsafe to use.

Can you wear expired contact lenses?

You should not wear contacts past their expiry date. Wearing expired contacts increases your risk of developing several eye problems, many of which can impact your vision. Some of these include:

• Eye redness and inflammation
• Pain or discomfort
• Eye infections
• Light sensitivity
• Keratitis (corneal ulcers)

• Corneal scarring

These issues could lead to more severe eye and vision problems, including potential vision loss.

Do contact lens prescriptions expire?

Contact lens prescriptions also expire, typically every two years. Your vision can change over time, and wearing corrective lenses with an expired prescription can affect your ability to see clearly. You could also experience eye strain, headaches, and other issues if your previous prescription is no longer appropriate for your vision needs.

If it’s been more than two years since your last contact lens exam, visit your eye care provider for an eye test and an updated contact lens prescription.

What to do if you accidentally wore expired contacts

If you’ve accidentally worn expired contacts, don’t panic. Dispose of those lenses (and any others that are expired) immediately to avoid accidentally wearing them again.

If you wore expired contact lenses and are experiencing eye irritation, blurry vision, or any other symptoms, visit your optician promptly for an evaluation.

Ask your eye care provider for a copy of your current prescription when you’re ready to reorder new contacts. You should also get in touch if you need to schedule an eye test to update your prescription.

What about contact lens solution?

Choosing the right contact lens solution and using it correctly are also critical for protecting your eyes and reducing the risk of injury. Your eye care provider can recommend the best solution for your specific type of contacts. Like contact lenses, contact lens solution also has an expiry date that you should adhere to.

Can contact lens solution expire?

Yes, contact lens solution can and does expire. The expiration date is usually found on the box it's packaged in and on the bottle itself.

Some manufacturers also provide a discard date on the label. This is the date by which the solution should be disposed of after it’s been opened. This is commonly 90 days after opening, but that can vary by both the type of solution and the manufacturer.

Some solutions, like those in preservative-free single-dose vials, should be disposed of within 24 hours of opening the container. Speak with your eye care provider if you have any questions about contact lens solution expiration or usage.

Can you use expired contact lens solution?

You should never use expired contact lens solution. Once expired, the ingredients in the solution begin to break down, losing their effectiveness in disinfecting your contacts. The solution may also become contaminated with bacteria or other pathogens, placing your eyes at risk for infection and other issues. Always use fresh contact lens solution in a clean contact lens case.

With the right care and attention, your contacts can provide optimal vision. To learn more, schedule an eye test and contact lens check at Vision Express, our trusted partner in eye care.

SOURCES:

1. Why does a contact lens prescription expire? Verywell Health. April 2020.
2. Do contacts really expire? (When you can & can’t wear them). NVISION Eye Centers. August 2023.
3. Types of contacts and their expiration dates. Vision Center. April 2024.
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5. Eye infections from contact lenses. EyeSmart. American Academy of Ophthalmology. May 2023.
6. Contact lenses. Association of British Dispensing Opticians (ABDO). July 2020.
7. Can you get contacts with an expired prescription? Vision Center. February 2024.
8. Survey finds UK adults underestimate the need for regular eye examinations. Optometry Today. Association of Optometrists. October 2020.
9. Contact lens care. American Optometric Association. Accessed August 2024.