What Happens When Contacts Lenses Expire?
Soft contact lenses carry an expiration date to protect consumers. The Food & Drug Administration (FDA) classifies contact lenses as packaged medical devices that require an expiration date. Expired contact lenses can cause infection from contamination. Wearing them puts your eye health at risk.
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Expiration Significance
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Soft contact lenses are sealed in airtight containers. Over time, the seal on these containers becomes weak, which can lead to contamination of the saline solution and lens. The expiration date indicates the last month and year you can consider the lenses free from contamination.
Lens Safety Timeline
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Up to four years from their packaging date, soft contact lenses are safe to wear. Inspect the packaging carefully before using the lens. Dispose of the lens if you notice any holes in the package or if the saline solution appears cloudy. Adhering to these safety standards will help you avoid painful eye infection.
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Exceptions
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Hard, or gas-permeable, contact lenses usually do not have an expiration date. Manufacturers make these lenses to order and ship them dry. Hard contact lenses are not stored in saline solution, which eliminates the risk of contamination before usage. The consumer is responsible for sterilization.
Warnings
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The FDA offers some warning tips for contact lens purchases: Order your contact lenses from a company you are accustomed to. Watch out for attempts to substitute a different brand. Only accept the brand your eye-care professional approved, which is listed on your prescription. If you suspect your lenses are incorrect (prescription or brand), check with your eye-care professional. Refuse any lenses not approved by your eye doctor.
Considerations
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Follow your eye doctor's suggestions for the length of time to wear your lenses. Disposable lenses tend to be safer since you replace them at least every month, weekly or daily. Proper cleaning and storage can help you avoid eye infections or worse. Wash your hands before inserting or removing your lenses. These tips will maintain the comfort of your lenses and keep your eyes healthier.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit beauty woman macro eye image by Anatoly Tiplyashin from Fotolia.com
