The answer is: by law, you can’t order contact lenses with an expired prescription. The good news is: It’s fast and easy to renew an expired prescription for contact lenses. You can take a vision test right on our website to renew. Not sure if your prescription is still good? Keep reading and we’ll help you figure it out.
Wondering about contact lenses you already bought that have expired? Read our guide to Do Contact Lenses Expire? right here.
How to Tell if Your Contact Lens Prescription is Expired
The prescription issued by your eye doctor or provider should include an expiration date on it. You can look for the words where it says “Valid Until” or simply, “Expiration Date.” If the expiration date hasn’t passed yet, you can go ahead and order lenses using your prescription. (This is true even if the expiration date is very soon.)
If you can’t find the expiration date listed on your prescription, check the date of the exam itself. Prescriptions generally expire within 1 or 2 years of the exam date by law. If less than two years have passed since your last exam, your prescription has most likely not expired yet and you can use it to place your next contact lens order.
What if you no longer have or can’t find the copy of your prescription given to you by the doctor? You may be able to find the prescription in your patient portal on your doctor or provider’s website. The prescription you’re looking for, with the expiration date, is most likely stored in the portal so you can access it easily.
Why Can’t I Order Contact Lenses with An Expired Prescription?
Under FTC regulations of fair trade, contact lens sellers can’t fill an expired prescription for you, as it’s against the FTC’s Contact Lens Rule. Contact lenses are treated as a medical device, which requires a valid doctor’s prescription before being provided to you, as the consumer.
Making sure to get a new eye exam every 1-2 years also saves you from wearing contact lenses that are no longer the right fit for you. Eyes can change a lot over a year, and you want to make sure that the contact lenses you buy are the perfect fit for your eyes. If you end up with the wrong prescription, such as lens power that’s too high or too low, you’re at risk for eye strain and headaches.
But it’s super easy to renew your prescription online and make sure you have the right power and the right contact lenses for you. Read on for a quick description of the process.
How Can I Order Contact Lenses if My Prescription Has Expired?
You don’t have to schedule an appointment with an optometrist or ophthalmologist to get a new prescription. You can take an online vision test reviewed by a doctor to renew your prescription.
The process works as follows:
1- Have the following available to you when you take the test:
-A smartphone, tablet, or laptop.
-About ten feet of space so you can stand at a distance from your device.
-Your most recent prescription handy.
2- Go to this link and take the digital vision and eye health history test.
3- Once you’ve completed the test, the results will be sent to a certified doctor for review. If you pass the test and are eligible for a prescription, you’ll receive the updated prescription via email within 24 hours.
4- Eiyan will also automatically receive the fresh prescription so you can now easily order your lenses from our contact lens collection.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online vision test as good as an in-person exam?
An online vision test is a quick and convenient way to renew an existing contact lens prescription for healthy eyes. It’s not made to check your eyes for suspected health issues. To simply renew contact lens prescriptions, online vision tests can work just as well as an in-person exam.
How long does the online vision test take?
The digital vision test takes about 10 minutes to complete from your phone or computer. Once submitted, a licensed eye care professional will review your results, and you’ll receive your updated prescription via email within 24 hours.
Am I eligible to renew my prescription online?
To take the online vision test, you generally need to be between the ages of 18 and 55, have a previous contact lens prescription, and have no history of major eye health complications or severe medical conditions affecting your vision.
Can I order contact lenses from Eiyan if I have a prescription from another doctor?
Yes! As long as your prescription is valid (unexpired), you can order your contact lenses from Eiyan Lens regardless of which eye doctor issued it. Simply enter your prescription details or upload a copy during checkout.
Do contact lenses themselves also expire?
Yes, unopened contact lenses expire. The packaging and sterile saline solution inside degrade over time, which can allow bacteria to contaminate the lens. You should never wear contact lenses past the expiration date printed on the box or blister pack. For a complete guide on how packaging expiration works and how to find the date, read our full article on Do Contact Lenses Expire?.
