Can you wear expired contacts?

No, you should never wear expired contacts. Once they pass their expiration date, the lenses can cause eye infections, discomfort, and visual disruptions. In some cases, they could even damage your eyes.

Before you put in a fresh pair of contacts, take a glance at the expiration date. You can find it on the box and the blister pack. If that date is long gone, don't let those lenses get anywhere near your eyes.

Most contact lenses have a shelf life of 1 to 4 years. That clock starts as soon as the lenses are manufactured — it doesn't mean the contacts will last that long in your medicine cabinet. The exact timeframe depends on what the cleanses are made of, how they're packaged, and how they're sterilized.

In this article, we'll go through exactly what could happen if you wear expired contacts or use expired contact solution. (Once you learn about the risks, we're pretty sure you won't be tempted to use expired products.)

Why contacts expire

Contacts expire mainly because the saline solution they're packaged in loses its preservative power over time. The package can also lose its seal, which allows tiny particles to get in and contaminate the lens. Or the solution could dry up and damage the contacts.

Sometimes, the seal breaks because it's punctured or damaged. But beyond a certain (or rather, uncertain) point, the contact lens manufacturer anticipates that the pack seals may fail as the adhesive gets older.

The solution and packaging aren't the only things that degrade as contacts get older. The lens material and structure can start to break down or warp with age. And because contacts work by bending light through a very specific shape, even small changes can cause blurry vision.

What happens if you wear expired contacts?

Wearing expired contacts can cause a variety of problems, from eye infections to discomfort and visual disturbances. (TLDR: don't wear expired contacts.)

Expired contact lenses symptoms include:

• Eye infections

• Dryness and corneal abrasions

• Blurred vision

• Reduced oxygen permeability

Eye infections

Contact solution is sterile, so it kills off all kinds of bacteria. When the solution goes bad or leaks out, there's nothing to keep the bacteria and fungi in check. And if you wear contacts covered in these little microorganisms, it can put you at risk for infection.

What kind of infections? Well, conjunctivitis — pink eye — is a common one. (Not cute.) That's manageable, but you could also get more serious (and painful) issues, including styes, bacterial keratitis, and blepharitis. This risk is less common but still possible.

Dryness and corneal abrasions

Dryness is one of the most common risks of wearing expired contacts.

If the solution leaks out of the container, the contacts can dry out. Contacts are made to be moist, so this isn't ideal. They can feel uncomfortable or painful in your eye, and they might not fit correctly.

Dry lenses also cause corneal abrasions (that's scratches...in your eye). This is irritating in the short term, but in the long term, it can cause swelling of the cornea and significant pain or vision impairment.

Blurred vision

Contact lenses can change shape as they age or dry out. Warping can change the optical properties of the lens — in other words, it can't correct your vision properly.

That's why blurred vision is a common problem with expired contacts. You might notice that objects don't look as crisp as they usually do, or you might start seeing halos around lights. (Not great when you're driving at night.)

Reduced oxygen permeability

After contact lenses pass their expiration date, they tend to lose oxygen permeability. In other words, oxygen has a harder time passing through the lens and into your eye.

When your corneas don't have enough oxygen, they tend to swell. Swollen corneas feel pretty uncomfortable, but that's just the start. They can also cause blurred or cloudy vision and light sensitivity. In extreme cases, oxygen-deprived corneas can cause permanent changes to your vision or eye tissues.

This is a less common risk of expired contacts. In most cases, the packaging or solution is more likely to degrade before the lenses do. 

Is it ok to use expired contact solution?

No, it's not a good idea to use expired contact lens solution. Once the solution passes its expiration date, its chemicals become less effective at getting rid of bacteria on your lenses. That puts your eyes at risk for infection.

How can you tell if the solution is expired? Look for the expiration date. It's usually printed on the label or on the side or bottom of the bottle.

How to know if your contacts are expired

Wearing old contacts can be dangerous, but how do you know when the lenses expire? Here's how to tell if your contacts are past their expiration date:

1. Find the expiration date. It's usually printed on the box and each blister pack.

2. Know what to look for. Contact lens packaging is pretty compact, so there might not be room for the words "expiration date." Instead, the manufacturer might shorten it to "EXP" or an hourglass symbol followed by the date.

3. Don't wear expired contacts. If the expiration date has already passed, don't wear them.

4. Don't use contacts without a date. If the expiration date is rubbed off, don't risk it; only use contacts with a clear expiration date.

The same advice applies to contact solution — find the expiration date on the bottle. If you can't find one, don't use the solution. As with anything that goes in your eye, it's always better to be safe than sorry.

Is it okay to wear expired contacts?

No, it's never okay to wear expired contacts. The risk to your eyes just isn't worth it. (Your vision is priceless!)

What do you do with expired contacts or contact solution? The best option is usually to dispose of contacts properly. You might also be able to recycle the lenses and packaging through special programs.

If you notice that the expiration date is getting close for your contacts or contact solution, now is a great time to stock up on newer versions. Shop online at 1-800 Contacts to find the same brand of contacts your eye care professional prescribes.

 

Original publish date: 5/8/2024

Updated date: 11/12/2025