Do Contact Lenses Really Expire? What You Need to Know

Contact lenses, like any other medical device, are helpful for those who wear them and when used safely. Ensuring your vision is maintained correctly, clearly, and problem-free starts with using your contact lens for the recommended time period listed on the packaging. Do contacts expire? Absolutely they can and do!  

Tossing out expired contact lenses when they have reached their shelf life is the best means to maintain good eye health and optimal vision. Contacts typically expire anywhere from one to five years depending on the brand and manufacturer. It’s important to note that daily contact lenses are, once-per-day contacts should be worn once and thus expire after use. Monthly wear contacts should be replaced when they reach their expiration dates as labeled on the packaging. All other contact lenses, including non-prescription color contacts, bear an expiration date on the packaging noting when it is time to dispose of them.

Why Do Contact Lenses Expire?

Contact lenses are coated with an active saline solution during packaging from the manufacturer. Past its expiration date, this solution can cause a more acidic or alkaline environment, damaging the contact lens. Once expired, this ingredient can cause issues when the contact lenses are worn. 

If air accidentally seeps into the packaging of the lenses that loses its seal over time, this can cause bacteria or oxygen to enter or coat the lens. Expired contacts are ripe for harboring contaminants. There is a risk of eye infection, eye redness, and irritation when using expired contact lenses.

Is It Okay to Wear Expired Contact Lenses?

Contact lenses are an investment in good quality vision and healthy eyesight. It may be tempting to try to extend the life of your purchase by wearing outdated or expired lenses. Contacts should only be worn for the designated time indicated on the packaging. The solution in which contact lenses are packaged does expire and can create an environment where bacteria and fungal bacteria can grow on them. The best and safest choice is to toss out old contacts into the trash.

The Risk of Wearing Expired Contacts

If you wear expired contact lenses, you run the risk of potential side effects and health risks to your eyes and vision. You may feel pain or discomfort, experience eye redness or itching, and may be setting yourself up for a potential eye infection. In extreme cases, an infection can lead to blindness. If you are experiencing eye side effects, or unsure that a medical reaction is occurring due to contact lens wear, always consult an eye doctor or other eye health professional.

What to Do If You Accidentally Wore Expired Contacts

If you accidentally wear expired contact lenses, just remove and throw them away. Usually, if there is no harm, pain, or consequence to your eye health, you will likely be fine. However, reach out to your eye doctor or health care provider if you begin to notice eye pain, redness, infection, or discomfort. 

Does Contact Solution Expire?

Your contact lens solution is an important part of your eye care regimen. Keeping your contacts clean is a necessary step that ensures you can see better and maintain quality vision. Contact lens solutions will indeed have an expiration date that should be honored and followed. The expiration date range is shorter than contacts which means you have to be careful and attentive to this. The solution also contains active ingredients and disinfectants whose effectiveness declines over time. This is why using only fresh, unexpired contact solution is the best choice. 

Where Can I Find the Expiration Date for My Contact Lenses and Contact Solution?

For contact lenses, the expiration date can be found on the outside of the packaging – the box that they come in. Additionally, you can find the expiration date directly on the removable blistering seal on the contact container themselves along with the initials “EXP” and the corresponding expiration date. The expiration date on the contact lens solution can be found at the bottom or side of the bottle with what looks like an hourglass image. 

Contact Lens Care Tips

Taking care of your contact lenses is an important part of maintaining your contacts and protecting your eyes’ health. The following are some easy tips to keep in mind to ensure the optimal use of your contact lenses.

• Wash and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your contact lens.
• Remove your contacts before swimming or getting into a pool.
• Never shower with your contacts in.
• Do not sleep with your contacts in, unless they are explicitly intended for overnight use. 

• Keep your contacts in the contact case when not in use. Be sure to periodically clean your contact lens case as well to remove any protein deposits or potential bacteria. 

• Change your contact lens case occasionally; every 3 months is recommended. 

• Always ensure that the nozzle of the contact lens solution does not get any debris or anything on it.  

• Use fresh contact lens solution each time and store your contacts in your case. Dispose of old solutions before storing your contact lenses. Note that contact lenses should never be rinsed or stored in water.

• If you feel any eye irritation while wearing your contacts, remove them and rinse them with the eye solution. Do not rub your eyes as that might cause infection if there happens to be any debris on the lens.

Precisely Crafted and All-Day Comfort with Hubble Contact Lenses Online

Having optimal vision and eye health means taking care of your contact lenses and ensuring that you wear them wisely. Wearing a new lens every day is the safest and most comfortable way to wear contacts. Check out Hubble’s subscription service that delivers daily contact lenses to your door each month. Our lenses are FDA-approved, provide UV protection, and are designed for all-day comfort. Signing up for contact lenses online has never been easier. Shop with Hubble today, and we’ll contact your doctor, and then Hubble ships out your contacts leaving you with less worry about expired contacts.