Do Contact Lenses Expire?

If you wear contact lenses, you probably don’t spend much time thinking about their expiration dates. After all, they’re just little pieces of plastic (or silicone hydrogel), right? Not quite. 

Contact lenses are medical devices, and just like prescription medications or skincare products, they come with an expiration date for a reason.

Using expired contacts might not seem like a big deal, but it can put your eye health at risk. At ProVision, we want to help you understand why contacts expire, what happens if you use them past their expiration date, and how to store them properly to maximize their lifespan.

Why Do Contact Lenses Expire?

Most contact lens boxes have an expiration date printed on them, usually labeled as “EXP,” followed by a month and year. This date isn’t just a suggestion—it’s the last day the manufacturer can guarantee that the lenses are safe to use.

So, why do they expire?

1. The Material Degrades

Soft contact lenses are made from flexible materials that allow oxygen to pass through to your eyes. Over time, these materials can break down, even if the lenses are still sealed in their packaging. 

When this deterioration happens, the lenses may become brittle, stiff, or lose their ability to hold moisture properly. Expired lenses can feel uncomfortable and increase the risk of eye irritation. The change in shape also limits their ability to correct your vision.

2. The Sterility of the Packaging Weakens

Contact lenses come in sterile packaging filled with a saline solution to keep them moist and bacteria-free. But over time, even sealed packaging can become compromised. The longer the lenses sit on a shelf, the higher the chance that bacteria or fungi can find their way inside.

3. Solution Breakdown

The saline solution in which the lenses are stored doesn’t last forever. Eventually, the preservatives break down, reducing the solution's effectiveness in keeping the lenses clean and contamination-free.

4. Storage Conditions Matter

If your lenses are exposed to heat, humidity, or direct sunlight, they may expire sooner than the printed date. Extreme temperatures can accelerate the breakdown of the lens material and the packaging.

How Long Do Contact Lenses Last?

Generally, contact lenses have an expiration period ranging from 1 to 4 years from the date of manufacturing. Here’s a rough guideline of what to expect based on the type of contact lenses:

• Daily disposable or single-use lenses should never be reused

  • If you find an unopened box that’s past its expiration date, don’t risk using them

• Bi-weekly & monthly lenses, when unopened & stored correctly, typically expire within 1–4 years

  • Once the package is opened, follow the replacement schedule

• Rigid gas permeable (RGP) or “hard” lenses last longer, with 1 pair typically lasting 2–3 years

  • Check the packaging for the expiration date

If you’re unsure whether your lenses are still good to use, check the expiration date on the packaging. If they’re past the date, it’s time to toss them.
 

Risks of Wearing Expired Contact Lenses

Expired contact lenses should not be worn, as they can lead to potential eye health issues. Wearing lenses past their expiration date can increase the risk of infections, allergic reactions, eye irritation, and blurred vision.

1. Increased Risk of Eye Infections