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Wearing contact lenses is like having a little secret; no one needs to know you’re wearing them, yet they’re a silent lifesaver.
But let’s be honest, we all have so many questions about how to wear them properly and safely. Since they touch your eyeballs all day, it’s fair to be curious about best practices and hygiene standards. No one enjoys eye infections after all!
You’re not alone in wondering about one big question: Do contact lenses expire? I’m going to answer this burning question so you can wear your lenses without any doubts.
Do Contact Lenses Expire?
When contact lenses are manufactured, they are packed into a sterilized, airtight tab with saline solution. According to manufacturers, most contact lenses expire in 1 to 4 years. However, you should check the packaging. The expiration date can vary by product and brand.
What happens when contact lenses expire? Can I still wear them?
Wearing expired contact lenses is a big no-no! Once they are past expiration, the active ingredients in the saline solution can change (becoming more acidic or alkaline) and harm the lens. The seal on the airtight packaging can lose its grip. This may let germs and oxygen in, causing a big hygiene problem.
Wearing expired contact lenses can cause eye infections and corneal abrasions. These abrasions damage the outer layer of your eye. They can also lead to other serious problems. So, if you notice you’re wearing expired contact lenses, remove them immediately and throw them away.
Even if you don’t feel any irritation, they can still damage your eyes in the long run. So they aren’t a safe option, even for a few hours, because the side effects can be unpredictable and severe.
Where do I find the expiration date?
The expiration information is on the contact lens box of each packet. Check all sides of the packaging, as it might vary by brand. But you usually can’t miss it!
What if it’s an emergency? Can I wear expired contacts?
So you’re in a rush and late for work, but you have to pop in your contact lenses and run! But wait …
You can’t find your contacts except for one pair buried in the back of your drawer.
If they’re expired, you really shouldn’t be wearing them. Even if you’re down to your last pair and you’re in a rush.
Remember the question: Do contact lenses expire? YES! It’s not worth the potential infection and damage to your eyes and eyesight. After all, your vision and health are among the most important things, so why risk it for a few hours of extra convenience?
The best thing to do is to throw on your glasses until you can buy fresh contact lenses, or ask someone to grab you a pair if you can’t make it to the store.
How do I avoid expired lenses?
To avoid a dire situation when you have nothing but expired contact lenses in your drawer, always be aware of how many dailies or monthly contact lenses you have left. Devise a system that works best for you, whether that’s noting down the quantities or setting a reminder to buy more.
You can also try a simple subscription to always have some on hand. If that’s not an option, try only purchasing a few boxes ahead of time. And be sure the expiration date is far enough away to outlast the wait time until you wear them.
With EZContacts, you can order up to 24 boxes in a single order! Just pop in your prescription for your preferred contact lens brand and hit order. The price per box and the quality are on the right-hand side of the screen, so you know what you’re getting and how much it costs.
EZContacts Subscription Option
There is also a subscription option with a 10% discount to help you with the cost. You can order an annual supply and get notified when it’s time for a reorder. This is one of the most convenient and affordable ways to ensure you always have a fresh, ready-to-use stock of contact lenses!
There is no fuss, no hassle, no phone alarms or calendar reminders, just a simple renewal service. If you’re not sure about the expiration date of a specific product, you can contact the customer service team for help.
But generally, since manufacturers say contact lenses’ standard expiration is 1–4 years, buying a few months’ supply in advance is a safe bet.
If my contact lenses feel dry, does that mean they have expired?
If your contact lenses are making your eyes feel dry and are still within the expiration date, then another issue could be at play. Either the type of lenses may not be the best option, or you may have persistent dry eyes that make them uncomfortable. In this case, it is wise to talk to an eye doctor about which lenses could be sufficiently hydrating.
Time to take action!
So, to drive home the answer to the question, “Do contact lenses expire?” Yes, they certainly do! If in doubt, check the expiration date, and if you’re unsure how old that forgotten pair you fished out of your cabinet is, then bin it. It’s not worth the trouble or, in this case, potential eye infection.
And remember, you can make your life easier by signing up for a contact lens subscription. So you can get on with your busy life.
