It’s common to discover a forgotten, sealed blister pack of contacts sitting in the back of a bathroom drawer. The packaging looks completely fine on the outside, making it tempting to use them anyway. Before you do, it’s worth knowing what that expiration date actually means and why it’s there.
Yes, contact lenses expire, and wearing them past that date can put your eye health at risk. The good news is that knowing what to look for takes only a minute, and protecting your eyes is much simpler than you might think.
Why Contact Lenses Have an Expiration Date
The lens itself isn’t always the first thing to go. Each contact lens sits in sterile solution inside a sealed blister pack. Over time, that packaging and solution can no longer be guaranteed safe, which is why the expiration date matters.
The seal on the blister pack also weakens with age. A compromised seal can let bacteria in, even if the pack looks intact from the outside. That combination of degraded solution and a weakened seal makes those older lenses unsafe for your eyes.
Where to Find the Expiration Date on Your Contacts
You can often find the expiration date in one of 2 places.
On the Box
Flip the box over and look near the lot number or manufacture date. The format is usually YYYY/MM, though some brands print the full month and year. If you see 2 dates, the later one is typically the expiration date.
On the Blister Pack
Each individual pack has its own date stamped on the foil. Look for “EXP” or a small hourglass symbol. Discard the pack and use a fresh one if the ink is worn off or unreadable. Never guess when it comes to your eye health.
What Can Happen if You Wear Expired Contacts
Expired lenses don’t always feel obviously wrong at first, but the risks are real. The degraded solution can irritate the surface of your eye, and bacteria that slipped past a weakened seal can quickly cause an infection.
Some of the most common problems people notice include:
- Eye irritation, redness, or a gritty feeling
- Increased risk of bacterial eye infections
- Possible corneal ulcers, which can affect your vision long-term
Corneal ulcers are worth taking seriously. They can be painful and may take weeks to heal. Taking a shortcut with an old lens simply isn’t worth the trade-off.
What to Do After Wearing Expired Contacts
If you realize you’ve been wearing expired lenses, take action right away. Don’t wait to see if symptoms develop. Follow these quick steps:
- Remove and discard the lenses immediately.
- Check your eyes for redness, irritation, or discomfort.
- Call your eye doctor promptly if you notice redness, pain, light sensitivity, discharge, blurry vision, or irritation that does not improve after removing the lenses.
Remember to Check Your Contact Solution
Your contact lens solution has its own expiration date, and it’s often shorter than the lens’s shelf life. Expired solution loses its ability to disinfect, which means lenses stored in it aren’t actually being cleaned. Using expired solution can reduce disinfection and increase the risk of irritation or infection. Check the bottle and replace it if it’s past the printed date.
Contact Lens Care Tips to Keep Your Eyes Healthy
Good contact lens hygiene doesn’t have to be complicated. 2 simple habits make a significant difference for your overall comfort:
- Wash your hands thoroughly before touching your lenses every single time.
- Never sleep in your lenses unless your eye doctor has specifically approved them for overnight wear.
Storage and Replacement Schedule
Your lens case collects bacteria over time, even with regular cleaning. Replace it at least every 3 months. And follow the replacement schedule your doctor recommended, whether that’s daily, bi-weekly, or monthly lenses. Stretching wear time past the recommended schedule is one of the most common ways contact lens problems start.
Contact Lens Care Starts Here
Your eyes deserve contact lenses that work for you. When those expiry dates pass, throw away those old blister packs and treat yourself to a fresh, comfortable pair.
The team at Tally Eyeglassery can help you find the right contact lens option for your lifestyle and keep your prescription up to date. If it’s been a while since your last contact lens exam and fitting, or you have questions about an old box of lenses, schedule a visit with Tally Eyeglassery in Tallahassee.
