Contact lenses are classified as medical devices, meaning they can only be purchased with a valid prescription. Like a prescription for medication, a contact lens prescription has a finite validity period after which it is considered expired. This time limit is determined by a combination of medical standards and federal law. Understanding the expiration date is important for maintaining clear vision and ensuring the continued health of the eye.
The Standard Prescription Validity Period
In the United States, the standard validity timeframe for a contact lens prescription is one year from the date it was issued. This duration is the common practice across the country, balancing patient convenience and necessary medical oversight. The one-year limit requires regular, comprehensive eye health evaluations.
Contact lenses are worn directly on the cornea, which can subtly change the eye’s environment and health over time. A yearly check-up allows the eye doctor to monitor the physical fit of the lens, ensuring it is not causing issues like corneal swelling or oxygen deprivation. The one-year limit also accounts for potential gradual changes in a person’s vision correction needs that might go unnoticed.
Legal Requirements Governing Expiration
The requirement for a valid prescription and its expiration date is governed by the federal Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act (FCLCA). This law, enacted to increase consumer choice, mandates that a contact lens prescription must be valid for a minimum of one year. The FCLCA ensures patients have the freedom to purchase lenses from any retailer, including online vendors, for at least a full year.
This federal regulation also requires prescribers to automatically release a copy of the patient’s prescription once the fitting is complete. The law places responsibility on sellers to verify the prescription with the prescriber before dispensing lenses. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) enforces this rule, treating any violation as an unfair or deceptive act.
Factors That Can Change the Expiration Date
While federal law sets the minimum validity at one year, an eye care professional can legally shorten the expiration period for specific medical reasons. If a patient has unstable vision, a developing eye condition, or a history of complications like dry eye syndrome, the doctor may require a follow-up exam sooner than 12 months. Any decision to shorten the period must be based on a documented medical judgment regarding the patient’s ocular health.
Conversely, some state laws may extend the minimum validity period beyond the federal one-year requirement, sometimes to 18 or 24 months. If a state law mandates a longer period, that local law supersedes the federal minimum. The specific expiration date is determined by the law in the state where the eye exam was performed, provided it meets the federal minimum.
Steps to Take When Your Prescription Expires
When a contact lens prescription expires, it becomes impossible to legally purchase new lenses from any retailer, necessitating a new eye examination. This mandatory step ensures that the lenses you wear continue to be safe and accurate for your current vision and eye health. The new visit must include a comprehensive eye exam and a dedicated contact lens fitting or evaluation.
Continuing to wear lenses from an expired prescription carries risks, as the lens parameters may no longer match the shape of your cornea or your visual needs. Wearing an ill-fitting lens can cause corneal abrasions, oxygen deprivation, and increase the risk of serious eye infections like keratitis. The annual eye exam confirms that the lenses are fitting correctly and that your eyes are tolerating wear without developing long-term complications.