Can I Wear Expired Contact Lenses?
Picked up some colored contacts, but time just slipped away and now they’re past their expiration date. Hey, you might be thinking—are they still good to wear, or is it time to get rid of them? Are expired contacts actually harmful? Let’s jump into the facts and find out!
The Risks of Wearing Expired Contact Lenses
Wearing expired lenses can lead to various eye discomforts, including dryness, irritation or even redness. Significantly, using expired contacts increases the risk of eye infections like conjunctivitis or keratitis, which can cause pain, swelling, and even vision problems if left untreated.
This is because expired lenses may develop bacterial or fungal growth over time, making them unsafe for use and putting your eye health at serious risk. It’s important to always check the expiration date and replace your lenses as recommended to protect your vision.
How Long Is the Shelf Life of Colored Contacts?
The shelf life of colored contact lenses varies by brand and manufacturer, but typically, they last around five years if it’s unopened. Upon expiry, the materials and pigments used in the lenses may degrade, potentially affecting both their safety and comfort.
Once opened, their lifespan depends on their duration—daily lenses last for a day, monthly lenses last for a month, and yearly lenses last for a year. So, it's important to follow the recommended usage period to avoid discomfort or potential eye infections.
Let’s say your yearly lenses are set to expire in two months while still sealed in their vial. You can still use them for a full year as long as you open them before that expiration date. This is because the expiry date on the vial refers to the solution inside, which keeps the lenses sterile. The solution may become less efficient at preserving the lenses once it's expires, raising the risk of contamination. So, if you plan to use them, be sure to open them before the expiration date!
How to Check If Your Contacts Have Expired
Not sure if your lenses are still safe to wear? Here’s how to check the expiry:
✔ Examine the packaging – Look for the manufacturing date and expiration date on the label of the box/vial.
✔ Inspect the lenses – Always inspect your lens before wearing. If they look cloudy, discolored, or have any unusual changes, do not wear them.
✔ Smell test – If the lenses appear to have a strong or unpleasant odor, yes, they may have expired.
Small Tips on how to keep track of opened lenses
To ensure you don’t wear the lenses past their safe usage period, it's best to mark their duration on your calendar or even write the expiration date on the contact lens case and of course you can also label the lens case with a sticker for the lenses that have already been opened. Trust us, it’s the best way to serve as a reminder!
NEVER EVER wear expired contacts! Expired lenses are never worth the risk, regardless of how costly or beautiful they are. Wearing them can result in serious eye discomfort, infections, and possibly long-term vision issues. Your eye health should always come first! When in doubt, it’s best to discard them and replace them with a fresh and new pair.
