1 Day Acuvue For Astigmatism Past The Expiration Date

Snowflake · #1 (**permalink**) 03-06-2008, 09:11 AM

Why do contact lenses have an expiration date? If I have some 1 Day Acuvue For Astigmatism and it's a year past the expiration date on the package, what would be the risks? Will the solution be stinky? Will it be dried up? Can bacteria somehow make their way into the sealed package if they have a year or two to work on it?

alyssa · #2 (**permalink**) 09-06-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Why do contact lenses have an expiration date? If I have some 1 Day Acuvue For Astigmatism and it's a year past the expiration date on the package, what would be the risks? Will the solution be stinky? Will it be dried up? Can bacteria somehow make their way into the sealed package if they have a year or two to work on it?

i guess you have to inquire on your eye doctor about it or maybe try downloading the patient guide and the likes ..http://www.acuvue.com/fair_balance.htm

Raidernation11 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alyssa

i guess you have to inquire on your eye doctor about it or maybe try downloading the patient guide and the likes ..http://www.acuvue.com/fair_balance.htm

I looked at that page, but I didn't see anything about contact lenses expiring.

nakchura · #4 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Why do contact lenses have an expiration date? If I have some 1 Day Acuvue For Astigmatism and it's a year past the expiration date on the package, what would be the risks? Will the solution be stinky? Will it be dried up? Can bacteria somehow make their way into the sealed package if they have a year or two to work on it?

There is an expiration date for contact lenses but I never read nor heard of anything that will happen to them if they're expired. Perhaps they have chemicals with in them that becomes harmful when expired.

Orionebula · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Why do contact lenses have an expiration date? If I have some 1 Day Acuvue For Astigmatism and it's a year past the expiration date on the package, what would be the risks? Will the solution be stinky? Will it be dried up? Can bacteria somehow make their way into the sealed package if they have a year or two to work on it?

You've got one-day contact lenses that have been sitting around for a year? After all that time the lenses will probably by dried out. If somehow they're still in liquid, they may disintegrate if you try to pick them up. One-day contacts are very thin. Finally, after sitting so long is possible that their shape may have changed and they won't be the same prescription any more.
Nakchura suggested that the chemicals might have mutated into something harmful, but what usually happens with chemicals is they become weaker with the passage of time. Remember the Second Law of Thermodynamics: entropy increases. That means the longer you try to keep things together, the more they fall apart.

Snowflake · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2009, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orionebula

You've got one-day contact lenses that have been sitting around for a year? After all that time the lenses will probably by dried out. If somehow they're still in liquid, they may disintegrate if you try to pick them up. One-day contacts are very thin. Finally, after sitting so long is possible that their shape may have changed and they won't be the same prescription any more.
Nakchura suggested that the chemicals might have mutated into something harmful, but what usually happens with chemicals is they become weaker with the passage of time. Remember the Second Law of Thermodynamics: entropy increases. That means the longer you try to keep things together, the more they fall apart.

No, I don't have one day contact lenses that have been sitting around for a year. This was just a hypothetical question, which you've answered beautifully. Nice reference to entropy, by the way.

takatenamano · #7 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Can bacteria somehow make their way into the sealed package if they have a year or two to work on it?

That's interesting. For all I know bacterias are everywhere.

takatenamano · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 03:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alyssa

i guess you have to inquire on your eye doctor about it or maybe try downloading the patient guide and the likes ..http://www.acuvue.com/fair_balance.htm

Whoa! Thanks for the link. I didn't know about this patient guide before.

takatenamano · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 03:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orionebula

You've got one-day contact lenses that have been sitting around for a year? After all that time the lenses will probably by dried out. If somehow they're still in liquid, they may disintegrate if you try to pick them up. One-day contacts are very thin. Finally, after sitting so long is possible that their shape may have changed and they won't be the same prescription any more.
Nakchura suggested that the chemicals might have mutated into something harmful, but what usually happens with chemicals is they become weaker with the passage of time. Remember the Second Law of Thermodynamics: entropy increases. That means the longer you try to keep things together, the more they fall apart.

Well, that sounds to be a more accurate explanation. Are you a professor at a school or something? I never expect someone would comment a deeper knowledge of these things. To suggest the law of thermodynamics here is really awesome.

timetraveler · #10 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

That's interesting. For all I know bacterias are everywhere.

You're right, takatenamano (Interesting screen name). Bacteria are everywhere, but probably not inside a sealed contact lens package.

To answer Snoflake's question about bacteria eventually working their way ito a sealed container, it's unlikely. Bacteria (One bacterium, many bacteria.) don't live very long, and if they don't make it in, it's not like a dying bacterium will say to his sons "Carry on the work for me, and remember me."

Orionebula · #11 (**permalink**) 09-10-2009, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

Well, that sounds to be a more accurate explanation. Are you a professor at a school or something? I never expect someone would comment a deeper knowledge of these things. To suggest the law of thermodynamics here is really awesome.

Thank you takatenamano.
No, I'm not a professor, I'm just a nerd.

What did you expect from someone with the screen name "Orionebula"?

alyssa · #12 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 04:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orionebula

Thank you takatenamano.
No, I'm not a professor, I'm just a nerd.

great! i really admire person who are intelligent and got common sense..good of you to be here and help us on our discussion here orionebula!

Orionebula · #13 (**permalink**) 09-11-2009, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alyssa

great! i really admire person who are intelligent and got common sense..good of you to be here and help us on our discussion here orionebula!

Thank you alyssa. I'm glad I can help.

Have you see the sunglasses and eyeglasses sections of Lens 101? If you could respond to some of those questions, that would be a big help. The questions in those sections usually aren't as technical as the contact lens questions. A lot of them are opinion questions like "What do you think of these sunglasses with the brown lenses?"

See you there.

Snowflake · #14 (**permalink**) 11-10-2009, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timetraveler

You're right, takatenamano (Interesting screen name). Bacteria are everywhere, but probably not inside a sealed contact lens package.

To answer Snoflake's question about bacteria eventually working their way into a sealed container, it's unlikely. Bacteria (One bacterium, many bacteria.) don't live very long, and if they don't make it in, it's not like a dying bacterium will say to his sons "Carry on the work for me, and remember me."

Thanks for answering my question so specifically, timetraveler. I know the solution inside the package is supposed to be sterile, so in order for it to get contaminated, bacteria would have to get in from the outside.

Orionebula · #15 (**permalink**) 11-20-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by takatenamano

That's interesting. For all I know bacterias are everywhere.

Well . . . technically, bacteria live in just about any environment you care to mention, but of course, they are not on any surface or in any solution that is sterilized.

timetraveler · #16 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orionebula

Well . . . technically, bacteria live in just about any environment you care to mention, but of course, they are not on any surface or in any solution that is sterilized.

Exactly right, Orionebula. Contact lenses are sterile in their blister packages or vials.

Knotlob · #17 (**permalink**) 01-04-2010, 02:13 PM

This question came up before but I don't remember which post it was. As I understand it RGP lenses may be packaged dry and they generally don't contain any water. They don't have expiry dates as bacteria like to have water/dampness to survive.

The soft lens is of course stored in a sterile lens solution and the expiry date (say 4 years from packaging) is there to provide a reasonable safety factor for when the packaging is likely to fail and the sterile solution to become contaminated. It won't dry out unless the packaging has been damaged and the solutions, if sealed, will not mutate.

If I had lenses that were past the expiry date, I would be looking at the packaging seal, etc. Look at the solution inside - if it is cloudy, that usually indicates it is contaminated. If not, you could sterilise the lenses in 2 part peroxide solution for 6 hours and then provided they are clear, you could try them. If there is going to be a problem I think your eye will tell you. Just don't ignore any discomfort in the eye.

If the lenses are cheap daily disposables, you probably don't want to keep them - just bin them to avoid any risk. If you have any doubts about the lenses, bin them.

knotlob

Raidernation11 · #18 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

If I had lenses that were past the expiry date, I would be looking at the packaging seal, etc. Look at the solution inside - if it is cloudy, that usually indicates it is contaminated. If not, you could sterilise the lenses in 2 part peroxide solution for 6 hours and then provided they are clear, you could try them. If there is going to be a problem I think your eye will tell you. Just don't ignore any discomfort in the eye.

If the lenses are cheap daily disposables, you probably don't want to keep them - just bin them to avoid any risk. If you have any doubts about the lenses, bin them.

knotlob

This sounds a bit iffy, knotlob. Have you sterilized expired contacts yourself? If not, would you?

Knotlob · #19 (**permalink**) 01-05-2010, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raidernation11

This sounds a bit iffy, knotlob. Have you sterilized expired contacts yourself? If not, would you?

No and yes!

I can't say I have even looked at expiry dates on my contact lenses when I used yearly ones, but they would last approximately one year and I would have a maximum of two pairs spare so in theory would be within the expiry date.

I have older yearly lenses and if they have an expiry date, then they will have expired, but the prescription is now too weak.

But I was always brought up not to waste things, so if the (expensive yearly) lenses were of the correct prescription, but expired, I would (if not cloudy) sterilise them and use them.

I don't think twice about eating a tub of yoghurt or quark which is 2 months out of date, but still sealed and has been kept in a refrigerator. It is always fine. But I wouldn't try anything like that with ground meat or poultry, which is potentially full of salmonella, etc.

It's about managing the risk and knowing what is OK and what is not OK. It also comes down to how risk averse you are. (I have a cousin in Germany who goes to the other extreme and throws out food even before it reaches it's expiry date and only buys organic food - which I feel is a complete waste of time. I have an inherent mistrust of farmers and very often it is quite impossible to prove the food is in fact organically grown, especially if it originates from third world countries. But each to their own).

Remember, the expiry/use before/sell before/display until dates have different meanings, some legal and others just a guide but with a good safety factor included.

There are usually a few warning signs that things have gone wrong and you need to learn what these are. You have to apply some common sense and knowledge/experience, otherwise, don't try this at home folks!

knotlob

SandiStix · #20 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

No and yes!

I can't say I have even looked at expiry dates on my contact lenses when I used yearly ones, but they would last approximately one year and I would have a maximum of two pairs spare so in theory would be within the expiry date.

I have older yearly lenses and if they have an expiry date, then they will have expired, but the prescription is now too weak.

But I was always brought up not to waste things, so if the (expensive yearly) lenses were of the correct prescription, but expired, I would (if not cloudy) sterilise them and use them.

I don't think twice about eating a tub of yoghurt or quark which is 2 months out of date, but still sealed and has been kept in a refrigerator. It is always fine. But I wouldn't try anything like that with ground meat or poultry, which is potentially full of salmonella, etc.

It's about managing the risk and knowing what is OK and what is not OK. It also comes down to how risk averse you are. (I have a cousin in Germany who goes to the other extreme and throws out food even before it reaches it's expiry date and only buys organic food - which I feel is a complete waste of time. I have an inherent mistrust of farmers and very often it is quite impossible to prove the food is in fact organically grown, especially if it originates from third world countries. But each to their own).

Remember, the expiry/use before/sell before/display until dates have different meanings, some legal and others just a guide but with a good safety factor included.

There are usually a few warning signs that things have gone wrong and you need to learn what these are. You have to apply some common sense and knowledge/experience, otherwise, don't try this at home folks!

knotlob

Great post, knotlob. thanks.

Speaking of organic farming, I saw a comic strip once where a crop duster is telling the farmer "I think I missed a corner."
"That's okay," said the farmer. "I'll just sell that as organic."

Knotlob · #21 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandiStix

Great post, knotlob. thanks.

Speaking of organic farming, I saw a comic strip once where a crop duster is telling the farmer "I think I missed a corner."
"That's okay," said the farmer. "I'll just sell that as organic."

LOL, very good. That about sums it up!

knotlob

Orionebula · #22 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

This question came up before but I don't remember which post it was. As I understand it RGP lenses may be packaged dry and they generally don't contain any water. They don't have expiry dates as bacteria like to have water/dampness to survive.

knotlob

Just out of curiosity, I went to Lens.com to see if I could see what kind of packaging they use for RGP contact lenses.

Pictured below is what came up when I chose Boston 7 contacts at random. That looks like a vial filled with solution. What would these "dry" RGP contacts you mentioned look like in their package? Would they be in those bubbles, like disposable contacts, except no liquid inside, just the contacts?

Knotlob · #23 (**permalink**) 01-06-2010, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Orionebula

Just out of curiosity, I went to Lens.com to see if I could see what kind of packaging they use for RGP contact lenses.

Pictured below is what came up when I chose Boston 7 contacts at random. That looks like a vial filled with solution. What would these "dry" RGP contacts you mentioned look like in their package? Would they be in those bubbles, like disposable contacts, except no liquid inside, just the contacts?

I read previously that the RGP lenses may be shipped dry. See link:

http://www.allaboutvision.com/contacts/faq/why-cls-expire.htm

However, today I read about fitting of Menicon Z lenses (as these are the type I am about to try

)

The fitting instructions for the Eye Care Professional state that the Menicon Z lenses are actually shipped in a vial 'immersed in Barnes Hind Comfort Care GP Wetting & Soaking Solution'. This is NOT sterile and the lenses must be sterilised before use (by the optician). The Comfort Care solution contains preservative(s) so if the patient is sensitive, the lenses must be rinsed in saline and disinfected in another solution prior to use.

If the lenses are received dry or missing solution from the vial, then they must be returned to Menicon.

So in the case of Menicon lenses, they are supplied wet, but not sterile. Possibly the same for the Boston 7 lenses you found on Lens.com.

If the others I read about were shipped dry, I guess that would be in some sort of blister pack.

knotlob

SandiStix · #24 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

LOL, very good. That about sums it up!

knotlob

I'm glad you liked my little joke. I read a comments years ago on Lens 101 that this is not the venue for joking, but I don't see what's wrong with a little levity now and then.

Knotlob · #25 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SandiStix

I'm glad you liked my little joke. I read a comments years ago on Lens 101 that this is not the venue for joking, but I don't see what's wrong with a little levity now and then.

No,I don't see a problem with a little humour to lighten things up a bit either, so long as it doesn't offend others sense of humour - International Forum, etc.

knotlob

Jurassicmark · #26 (**permalink**) 01-27-2010, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Knotlob

No,I don't see a problem with a little humour to lighten things up a bit either, so long as it doesn't offend others sense of humour - International Forum, etc.

knotlob

That's a good point, Knotlob. It's interesting to get posts from Germany, Brazil and Australia, but one must be careful with attempts at humor. Thanks for the reminder.