Here’s What Happens When You Wear Expired Contacts
Here’s What Happens When You Wear Expired Contact Lenses?
Have you checked your contact lenses lately? Once a symbol of beauty, convenience, and freedom from glasses, contact lenses have made a huge impact in both the health and beauty industries.
However, there’s a hidden risk that many wearers overlook—expired contact lenses.
Contact lenses might seem innocent, but wearing expired ones could lead to serious repercussions for your eye health, and no one wants to trade a few days of extended wear for months of discomfort.
If you’ve been tempted to stretch out the lifespan of your lenses, read on to find out why that’s a decision you’ll want to rethink. This article dives into the risks of expired contact lenses, how to identify them, the importance of proper care, and how to safeguard your vision for the long term.
The Dangers of Wearing Expired Contact Lenses
Wearing expired contact lenses can feel like a harmless mistake, but your eyes may end up paying the price. Contact lenses have expiration dates for a reason—they’re made of materials that degrade over time, making them less effective and safe.
Common Risks of Expired Contacts
- Irritation and Eye Discomfort
Over time, the material in lenses can break down, leading to less moisture retention. Expired lenses can feel dry, scratchy, or uncomfortable in your eyes.
Expired lenses can become a breeding ground for bacteria. When worn, these can transfer harmful microorganisms to your eyes, causing serious infections such as conjunctivitis (pink eye) or endophthalmitis, an extremely rare but severe eye infection.
One of the most alarming risks is corneal ulcers—open sores on the outer layer of your eye. These can cause intense pain, blurry vision, and even long-term damage if untreated.
- Vision Problems and Permanent Damage
Continued use of expired lenses can harm the eye’s cornea, reducing vision quality or causing permanent damage if complications aren’t addressed promptly.
Don’t risk your precious vision—understanding these consequences is vital to protecting your eyes.
How to Tell If Your Contacts Are Expired
Think your lenses are safe? Expiration dates aren’t always obvious, so here’s how to check your lenses to keep your eyes safe.
Spotting the Expiration Date
Every contact lens package has an expiration date printed on it—usually in the format of “YYYY-MM.” If your box or blister pack has passed this date, it’s best to discard the lenses immediately.
Signs Your Contacts May Have Gone Bad
Even if the expiry date hasn’t passed, improper storage or wear can make lenses unsafe. Watch for these red flags:
- Discolouration: Any change in the lens’ original colour could indicate contamination.
- Distortion: Lenses that have warped or lost their original shape are unfit for use.
- Torn Edges: Even small tears can make lenses harmful and cause irritation.
Your best bet? Always double-check your lenses before putting them in.
The Importance of Proper Contact Lens Care
Beyond expiration, proper care is essential to keeping your lenses safe. Poor lens hygiene can lead to issues similar to those caused by expired lenses.
Best Practices for Contact Lens Hygiene
- Wash Your Hands: Always use soap and warm water before touching your lenses.
- Use Fresh Solution: Never reuse old solution—always use fresh contact lens solution for cleaning and storing.
- Avoid Sleeping in Lenses: Unless your lenses are specifically designed for overnight wear, always remove them before bed.
- Stick to the Replacement Schedule: Daily lenses should be disposed of each day, while monthly lenses should not exceed their recommended usage.
Proper Storage and Maintenance
- Always store your lenses in the case provided and replace the storage case every three months.
- Never rinse lenses with tap water—it can contain harmful microorganisms that hurt your eyes.
Follow these steps religiously to keep your lenses in the best condition and safe to wear.
Contact Lens Types You Should Monitor Closely
Since these are single-use, daily lenses must be discarded after a single day. No excuses—reusing these is a one-way ticket to irritated eyes and sticky situations.
Monthly lenses can be more cost-effective, but they demand strict attention to schedule and cleaning habits. Never exceed the 30-day limit for these lenses, even if they still “feel fine.” The risks far outweigh any minimal cost savings.
When it’s time to stock up on contact lenses, look no further than Western Eyez! As a trusted online store, Western Eyez offers a wide variety of contact lenses to suit your needs — whether you prefer daily disposables, monthly lenses, or anything in between.
With a focus on quality, convenience, and customer satisfaction, Western Eyez makes it easy to find the perfect lenses for your vision and lifestyle.
The Advantages of Regular Eye Exams
One often-overlooked aspect of proper lens care is the critical role of routine eye check-ups. Skipping these can leave you unaware of early warning signs of eye health issues.
Why Routine Exams Are Crucial
- Monitor Eye Health: On-going appointments can catch any minor problems before they evolve into long-term issues.
- Ensure Proper Fit: Your eyes change over time, and poorly fitted lenses are a common cause of discomfort and complications.
- Refill Prescriptions: Expired prescriptions may compromise your vision correction and affect daily tasks like driving or reading.
Work with an eye care professional to create a routine care plan and stay ahead of potential eye health issues.
Share & Protect Your Vision
Your eyesight is one of your most valuable assets, so don’t jeopardise it by cutting corners with contact lens care. To recap:
- Expired lenses can lead to infections, ulcers, and permanent vision problems.
- Always check lens expiration dates and look for signs of damage or discolouration.
- Follow best practices for cleaning, storage, and timely replacement.
- Make regular eye exams part of your routine.
Do your eyes—and others—a favour by sharing this information with fellow contact lens wearers. Spreading awareness can help prevent unnecessary eye health risks.
And when was your last eye exam? If it’s been a while, now’s the perfect time to book a visit to your optometrist. Safe lenses mean happy, healthy eyes!
