Wearing expired contact lenses poses considerable risks to eye health. As medical devices, their expiration dates are fundamental to their safety and effectiveness. Adhering to these dates is important for maintaining clear vision and preventing complications. Using lenses past their expiration can compromise both the lens material and their sterile environment.
Why Contact Lenses Have Expiration Dates
Contact lenses are packaged in a sterile saline solution. The expiration date indicates the period for which this solution and the sealed packaging maintain sterility and chemical stability. Over time, the saline solution can deteriorate, losing preservative effectiveness or changing its pH balance, which can damage the lens. Even if sealed, tiny gaps can form, allowing air and microorganisms to contaminate the solution and lens. This contamination risk increases significantly past the expiration date.
Beyond the solution, the lens material can degrade. This affects its physical properties, such as flexibility and oxygen transmission to the cornea. Reduced oxygen permeability can lead to discomfort and compromise corneal health. Manufacturers set expiration dates to guarantee the lens’s safety, optimal performance, and structural integrity.
Serious Risks of Using Expired Lenses
Using expired contact lenses significantly increases the likelihood of serious eye problems. A primary concern is the heightened risk of bacterial or fungal eye infections, as compromised sterility allows harmful microorganisms to multiply on the lens. These infections can lead to keratitis, an inflammation or open sore on the cornea. Microbial keratitis, especially bacterial forms, is a common and severe infection resulting from improper contact lens use.
Corneal ulcers, which are open sores on the eye’s clear front surface, are a severe outcome of such infections and can cause significant pain and permanent vision damage. The degraded lens material can also become stiff or rough, increasing the chance of corneal abrasions or scratches. These abrasions are painful and create entry points for further infection.
Expired lenses can also reduce oxygen flow to the cornea, causing swelling and blurred vision. Chronic oxygen deprivation can lead to neovascularization, the growth of new blood vessels into the cornea, which can affect vision. Inflammation and irritation are common, resulting in redness, pain, and discomfort. In severe cases, infections or damage from expired lenses can lead to irreversible vision impairment or blindness.
What to Do After Wearing Expired Contacts
If you discover you have worn expired contact lenses, promptly remove them from your eyes and dispose of them properly. Do not attempt to reinsert them or any other expired lenses. While a single, accidental use may not always result in immediate severe consequences, it is still a risk.
Closely monitor your eyes for any symptoms of irritation or infection. These can include persistent redness, pain, blurred vision, excessive tearing, discharge, or increased sensitivity to light. If any of these symptoms appear or worsen, contact an eye care professional, such as an optometrist or ophthalmologist, immediately for an evaluation. Professional medical assessment is important to diagnose any potential issues and receive appropriate treatment, which may include antibiotic or antifungal eye drops.
Best Practices for Contact Lens Wearers
Maintaining proper contact lens hygiene and adhering to prescribed schedules are fundamental for protecting eye health. Always check the expiration date printed on contact lens packaging before use, and never use lenses past this date. It is also important to strictly follow the replacement schedule recommended by your eye care professional, whether daily, bi-weekly, or monthly, as stretching wear times increases the risk of complications.
Before handling lenses, always wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water and dry them with a clean, lint-free towel. Use only fresh, sterile contact lens solution each time you clean or store your lenses; never reuse old solution, top it off, or use tap water or saliva. Regularly clean your contact lens case with fresh solution, allowing it to air dry, and replace the case at least every three months to prevent bacterial buildup. Avoid sleeping in lenses unless specifically approved by an eye care professional, as this significantly increases infection risk. Regular eye examinations are also important to ensure your prescription remains current and to monitor overall eye health.