Contact lenses come packaged in a special solution designed to keep them clean and safe. Over time, the lens material and packaging may degrade and are no longer guaranteed to stay perfectly stable and sterile, increasing the risk of contamination. Manufacturers include an expiration date on both the box and individual lens packaging for this reason.
You can find the manufacturer’s expiration date for the contact lenses on the original packaging (usually a box) as well the individual contact lens packaging. Beyond the expiration date, the quality of the solution in the packaging can degrade over time, and/or become contaminated if the seal of the package is compromised, allowing bacteria and other organisms inside. Even if the package still looks intact and there is no leaking, it could still be contaminated, so if it’s expired, throw it out.
About 45 million people in the U.S. wear contacts, and following the recommended wear, care and replacement schedule significantly reduces the chance of infection or other issues. It’s often when people don’t follow the care instructions their eye doctor provides that the risk of serious eye infections rises. People who choose to wear expired contacts run the risk of experiencing a variety of issues, including:
When you hear the words “medical device” you might imagine a pacemaker or hip implant. Contact lenses are medical devices too, and a prescription is required to wear them (even costume or colored contacts). A contact lens prescription generally expires on a yearly basis, so even if your contact lenses haven’t expired yet, your prescription may have.
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The information provided on this page and across the entire Acuvue.com experience is designed to offer educational insights into eye health, referencing expert advice from reputable medical and government organizations, including the American Academy of Ophthalmology, the American Optometric Association and the National Eye Institute. While we research, report, and review the content on Acuvue.com and its extended social media to deliver accurate and up-to-date vision, vision care, and vision correction information, we do not make any assurances, and content accessed on or through Acuvue.com and its extended social media is not intended to replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment of any eye conditions or health issues. This brings us to our #1 eye health tip: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for personalized medical guidance and care.
