You are preparing for an important day, reach for a new pair of contact lenses, and suddenly realize your prescription has expired. Panic sets in. What now?

A Quick 101 on Contact Lens Prescription Expiration

Why do contact lens prescriptions expire? It's all about eye health. Your eyes can change with time, due to age, health conditions, or lifestyle changes. Therefore, regular eye exams ensure that your lenses fit well and your vision correction stays current.

In the US, you have a one- to two-year period on the majority of contact lens prescriptions (it varies by state, and also by your optometrist). Regardless of whether you buy contact lenses online or in store, a prescription is needed.

The Risks of Using Expired Prescriptions

Wearing contact lenses with an expired prescription isn’t a simple oversight, and it can pose a big eye-health risk. Your eyesight and eye conditions can deteriorate over time, which is why an up-to-date prescription is important. The following are the primary risks associated with expired contact lens prescriptions:

Inaccurate Vision Correction

Your vision can change with age or from a condition such as eye diseases. An expired prescription may no longer correct your vision and may even result in:

  • Eye strain
  • Headaches
  • Blurred vision

Periodic eye exams keep you informed of whether your prescription matches your current vision needs. 

Increased Risk of Eye Infections

If you are wearing contact lenses with an expired prescription, you may end up using lenses longer than their prescribed replacement period. Lenses can build up deposits and degrade structurally over time, thus providing a breeding ground for bacteria. This increases the risk of eye infection which could result in serious complications if not immediately addressed.

Discomfort and Eye Irritation

Outdated prescriptions could leave you with lenses that no longer fit or are constructed from materials that don’t suit your current eye condition. This can lead to:

  • Discomfort
  • Dryness
  • Redness
  • General eye irritation

These may interfere with your everyday activities and quality of life.

Legal and Safety Concerns

In many regions, dispensing contact lenses without a valid prescription is illegal. This regulation exists to keep consumers from potential harms. Using lenses without a current prescription bypasses physician supervision, and presents a greater risk for side effects and eye damage.

Potential for Long-Term Eye Damage

If you fail to update your prescription, you might end up wearing lenses that deprive the cornea of oxygen, particularly if the material of the lens has worn off. Chronic oxygen deprivation can cause corneal neovascularization, in which new blood vessels expand into the cornea, potentially leading to vision impairment.

Steps to Take When Your Prescription Expires

1. Schedule an Eye Exam

Make an appointment with your eye doctor. Regular check-ups keep your eyes in good condition and your prescription is up-to-date.

2. Consider Online Prescription Renewal

With everything going digital these days, some services offer online vision tests for prescription renewals. Although online services are not replacements for comprehensive eye exams, they are handy for short-term renewals.

3. Avoid Using Expired Lenses

Resist the temptation to use old lenses. The materials deteriorate over time, therefore increasing the chances of eye infections.

4. Order New Lenses Promptly

Once you have an updated prescription, order new lenses from a trusted company to prevent future mistakes. 

Exploring Online Prescription Renewal

An online prescription renewal can save the day when you need them the most. Here's how it typically works:

Eligibility Check

But before you start, you will need to confirm your eligibility. The majority of services require users to have a stable prescription. Further, those with health conditions (like diabetes or glaucoma) may be urged to have in-person exams. Check the requirements of the service that you are enrolled in to make sure you qualify.

Vision Test

An online vision test for contact lenses will let you take a few visual tests with your smartphone and computer. You will be guided through exercises to determine your acuity, similar to traditional eye charts. The procedure usually takes between 10 to 15 minutes and is meant to determine if your current prescription still meets your vision needs.

Professional Review

Once you have taken the test, your results go to a licensed ophthalmologist or optometrist in your state. They will review your test results, your health history and previous prescription to decide if you are eligible for renewal. Once your request is approved, you will receive a renewed prescription, usually within 24 hours, which you can use to buy contacts or glasses.

The Importance of Regular Eye Exams

While online renewals are convenient, they are not a substitute for comprehensive eye exams. Regular visits to your eye doctor can detect early signs of conditions like glaucoma or cataracts, and avoid permanent damage to your eyes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why do contact lens prescriptions expire?

Contact lens prescriptions expire so that individuals can have regular eye examinations. These check-ups are important for checking changes in vision and detecting potential eye health issues early on. Regular updates are beneficial for proper vision correction and eye health.

Can I use lenses with an expired prescription?

You should never wear contact lenses with an expired prescription. Over time, your vision and eye health can deteriorate with time, and an outdated prescription might no longer give you the best vision correction. Additionally, it is illegal to purchase contact lenses without a valid prescription because it guarantees you lenses that are appropriate for your current eye condition.

How can I renew my prescription quickly?

If you need to renew your contact lenses in a hurry, consider making an appointment with your eye doctor. Some optometrists have online booking systems for convenience. While prescription renewal services online do exist, they are not available everywhere and do not replace the need for comprehensive exams. The best way to keep your eyes healthy is to see an eye doctor personally on a regular basis.

How often should I have an eye exam?

You should get an eye exam once a year. Regular examinations let eye doctors monitor your eye conditions, change your prescriptions as needed, and catch early warning signs of eye disease to treat it in time and preserve your eye health.

Is it legal to purchase contact lenses with an expired prescription?

No, it is illegal to buy contacts if you don’t have a valid prescription. Retailers need to validate your prescription before they will sell you lenses. If you try to buy lenses with a prescription that is out of date, you may be refused sale and could face legal charges.

What should I do if I accidentally wear expired contact lenses?

If you happen to wear out-of-date contact lenses, get them out immediately even if you aren't experiencing any pain. Check your eyes for any stinging, itchiness, or vision problems. If any adverse effects arise, please notify your eye care provider as soon as possible to avoid complications. 

Can I extend the use of daily disposable lenses to save costs?

It is not recommended to use daily disposable lenses beyond their single-use capacity. Reusing them could lead to lens wear, contamination, and infection. Always follow the lens use instructions on the manufacturer's label and your eye doctor's prescription for your lenses. 

Keep Your Contact Lens Prescription Current

An expired prescription for contact lenses is more than just a date: it is a call to action for better eye health. If you are proactive about getting your eye exams and understand the value of proper prescriptions, you can maintain your vision and eye health.

So, the next time you see your prescription approaching its expiration date, use it as an opportunity to re-engage with your eye care regimen. Your eyes will thank you.