Health - Wellness
Why You Should Think Twice Before Wearing Expired Contacts
By ANNE TAYLOR
One of the main reasons why contact lenses have expiration dates is to ensure that they are used within a timeframe where the risk of bacterial build-up is minimized. As the lens absorbs whatever they come in contact with, too much bacteria can cause serious infections, leading to corneal ulcers that can permanently damage your vision.
Contacts also become less porous over time, reducing the flow of oxygen through the lens, and your eyes can become irritated, red, and swollen. Overwearing or wearing expired contacts can also cause an allergic reaction called giant papillary conjunctivitis (GPC), which results in symptoms like redness and itching.
Dry eyes are another common side effect of wearing expired contacts and can worsen the symptoms for those already suffering from dry eyes. Wearing any type of contact lens can lead to some discomfort, but expired lenses are more likely to cause problems.