You definitely don’t think many about wearing contact lenses if you do. But they’re a relatively new invention– in reality, the primary disposable email lens wasn’t introduced , until 1982. No one ever walks around with tiny pieces of plastic over their eyes, according to physician Dr. Robert Kinast, vice chair of obstetrics at Legacy Devers Eye Institute and co-founder of  GentleDrop.” We think of contact lens as being so standard, but 100 years ago, anyone walked around with little bits of plastic over their eye.”
Contact lenses are “foreign bodies and should be treated with respect,” Kinast goes on to say. In other words, it’s important to take care of your contact lenses and replace them when they expire. We sought advice from experts on contact lens expiration dates and eye health.
How long are contacts good for?  ,
Your contact lenses ‘ lifespan depends on a few things. Dr. Meenal Agarwal, an optometrist and podcast host, states,” Soft daily disposables are single-use, so you need to dispose of them after one day. At the other end of the spectrum, she says that “hard lenses can last one to two years with proper care”. According to Agarwal, the most crucial rule is to always adhere to the eye doctor’s recommended replacement schedule.
According to Dr. Jovi Boparai, ophthalmic surgeon and co-founder and CEO of CorneaCare, soft lenses are the most frequently used type of contact lenses. He explains that these lenses “range from daily disposables to weekly, biweekly or monthly”. However,” Rigid gas permeable contact lenses can last for a long time, from months to a year.” These lenses are made of tough plastic.
While most contact lenses will last for the intended duration, some factors may shorten their lifespan. For instance, your lenses might become inedible due to dust and smoke clinging to them. You might want toss your lenses early if there is a wildfire in your area or a high allergen count makes them start to feel uncomfortable.  ,
How to determine whether your contacts have expired
Looking at the date on the box will tell you whether your contacts have expired the quickest. Boarpai says that unopened contact lenses generally have a shelf life of one to four years from the date of manufacturing.
Beyond checking the expiration date, you should also watch how your lenses look. Old lenses may show discoloration or damage, according to Dr. Boparai. He also warns that expired contacts can develop deposits– meaning a buildup of residue on the lenses.
On the other hand, even if your contacts look brand-new, they might still be gone. Agarwal warns against using lenses that may not be as safe as they did the day of use. In short, you should defer to the expiration date first, but also ditch your lenses if there is obvious damage or they become painful.  ,
Expired contact lens symptoms
When life gets busy, it’s easy to lose track of your lens-changing schedule. Your lenses might notify you that they are expired before you even have a chance to find out the box’s date.  ,
Agarwal warns that using expired contacts can result in redness, pain or discomfort, irritation, blurry vision, excessive dryness, and/or infections. These signs should serve as warning signs. The doctor advises,” If you experience any of these symptoms, remove the lenses and consult your eye doctor”.
Additional symptoms, in the opinion of Boparai, may include “burning, watery eyes, light sensitivity, discharge, foreign body sensation, and eyelid swelling.”
signs that your contacts are prepared to replace them ,
It’s worth noting that you won’t always experience symptoms when your contacts are ready to be changed. Even if you believe your contacts could last a few more weeks, sticking to the right schedule is essential. When your lenses are ready to be replaced,” Most of the time, you will not have any symptoms,” says Agarwal.
However, the doctor reiterates that if you’ve overworn contacts for a long time, you may notice vision problems, painful symptoms or” a torn or damaged lens and/or a buildup of deposits or debris on the lenses”. This implies that it’s time to switch to a different pair.
How frequently should I have my contacts changed?  ,
Following the suggested usage duration is the simplest response. According to Boparai, you should change your lenses based on” the lifespan of the contact lenses as your eye doctor’s advises.”
You may also want to consider the length of time you’re wearing your lenses per day. Optometrists Network reports that about half of all contact lens wearers don’t adhere to the wear regimen that their doctors have suggested. This could lead to the condition known as contact lens overwear, which occurs when your lenses obstruct oxygen absorption. Left untreated, you may experience bloodshot eyes, infection or a damaged cornea.  ,
Both of the doctors we spoke with reaffirmed that you should never do so in contacts unless otherwise instructed by a doctor. This may help prevent overwear syndrome and lower your risk of infections and ulcers. Additionally, it gives you a motivation to check your lenses every morning to make sure there isn’t time to replace them.
How to care for your contact lenses ,
Your contacts ‘ proper care not only helps them last longer, but it may also help prevent eye infections. The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends that you always handle your contact lenses with clean hands first and foremost. The organization also recommends using a “rub and rinse” method each time you use your lenses. This implies that you should first rub your lens with clean fingers before rinsing it with a solution for contact lenses.  ,
Contact lenses carry an increased risk of eye inflammation and infection, Boparai says. He adds that washing the lenses for 10 to 20 seconds before use and making sure you don’t touch your cornea when adding or removing the lenses are both important factors for good contact lens hygiene. Additionally, Boparai advises changing your daily contact lens solution.
Meenal emphasizes the importance of storing your lenses “in a clean case and replacing the case every three months”. She advises against ever cleaning your contact lenses with water or saliva.
How to avoid eye infections brought on by contact lenses
The most common eye infection associated with contact lenses is keratitis, which the Mayo Clinic describes as an inflammation of the cornea. And it frequently happens. Between 2005 and 2015, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed contact lens-related infections and found that “keratitis from all causes, including contact lens wear, results in approximately 1 million clinic and emergency department visits annually.”
The AAO says that wearing extended-wear lenses, sleeping in your lenses and keeping a dirty lens case can all make you vulnerable to this type of infection. The Mayo Clinic warns that poor contact lens care encourages the development of bacterial, fungi, and parasites that can infect your cornea.
Agarwal goes on to say that contact lens wearers should never reuse or share their lenses. She also warns that you should “avoid wearing contacts in pools, hot tubs or the shower”, removing your lenses at the first sign of discomfort. Don’t brush your lenses with saliva, as Boparai advises, because doing so makes you more susceptible to infection.
How about costumed and colored contacts?
Cosmetic contacts, especially non-prescription costume lenses, are dangerous to your eyes and the American Academy of Ophthalmology warns against wearing any contact lenses not prescribed to you by a medical professional. Selling contact lenses without a prescription is prohibited in the United States due to the possibility of eye infections or permanent eye damage brought on by improperly fitting or manufactured lenses, which can seriously harm the eyes of the wearer.
Most of the prescription cosmetic lenses available today are used to conceal eye conditions that were present during birth, but those need to be designed specifically for the eyes and follow instructions from your eye doctor regarding how long to wear them and when to replace them.
When to contact an eye doctor if you wear contact lenses ,
Patients who are at least every two years old until the age of 64 should undergo eye exams, according to the AAO, unless their doctor recommends more frequent exams. Annual eye exams are the norm after the age of 65.  ,
However, even if you’re not at high risk, you should see your eye doctor” as soon as possible” if you have sudden blurry vision, an unusual discharge, excessive tearing, and/or sensitivity to light. Agarwal further advised that you should remove your lenses and never wear them again until your doctor gives you the go-ahead.  ,
Vision changes also call for another visit to the eye doctor, says Boparai. He adds that” Your eye doctor will assist in guiding management to keep your eyes comfortable and clear” if you experience uncomfortable symptoms or loss of vision.
Bottom line
When in doubt, don’t overwear your contact lenses. When they start to hurt or appear damaged, you should throw them out right away. Wearing glasses improperly can cause serious infections as well as discomfort. Don’t be afraid to call your eye doctor if something seems wrong.  ,
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