How Do I Tell if My Contact Lenses Are Too Old?

It happened to me just this morning. I took my contact lens case –filled with my current lenses– and threw it into a drawer while I cleaned off the counter. When I went to retrieve it a few hours later, much to my chagrin, I found two contacts cases–both filled with lenses.

So, how do I tell which is the new pair of lenses and which is the pair of lenses that I should have thrown away, months ago, when I got the new pair?

To be on the safe side, I asked my optometrist this question and he gave me the following advice.

Hold Them to the Light

First, he said, you should be able to hold the lens up to the light and tell the difference between an old and a new lens. The longer a lens is worn the more protein deposits and other wear and tear shows up on the lens surface. Deposit build-up will be diminished with regular cleanings but, for the most part, the older lens will look “fuzzier.”

Check the Shape

Second, sometimes, older lenses may start to lose their shape. For example, if you have a pair of monthly lenses (that were only intended to be worn for a month and then thrown away) and you try to clean them on your finger after the month of wear has passed, you may notice the lens flip inside out more frequently or be less cooperative on your finger.

See How They Feel

Finally, an old lens won’t feel good. This is the most dangerous way to tell if a lens is old, of course, but if you put the lens in your eye and it feels scratchy, then do what my optometrist told me, “When in doubt, throw it out!”

One contact lens company had some interesting facts online about how much money you actually save by trying to extend the wear of your contact lenses past their recommended usage time. The estimate was that by trying to get an extra few weeks out of every pair of lenses you only save about $50 a year. When you factor that $50 a year against the increased risk of a corneal ulcer, neovascularization or other serious eye problems you could get from wearing old and worn out lenses, it doesn’t seem worth it.

Contact lenses are designed to be comfortable, convenient and easy! If your lenses are old or if it’s time to get your eyes examined again, don’t delay. Make an appointment at your closest America’s Best today.