If you have a medical condition related to your eyes, you probably have eye drops in your home.
But what should you do if you find that your eye drops are past their expiration date? Can you use expired eye drops?
Generally, using expired eye drops isn’t likely to hurt you, but there are some things to think about.
Over time, the ingredients and preservatives can break down, which means they might not work as well.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about expired eye drops and help you figure out if it’s safe to use them.
What Are Eye Drops Used For?
Eye drops are liquid medicines or lubricants used to treat different eye problems.
You can find:
- Over-the-Counter (OTC) Eye Drops: These help relieve dryness, redness, and itchiness.
- Prescription Eye Drops: These are often used for conditions like glaucoma, infections, or inflammation after surgery.
You can also get:
Preservative-Free eye drops: Usually come in single-use vials, which are a good choice for sensitive eyes or for those who use drops frequently.
Eye drops with preservatives: These last longer and are safe to use up until the expiration date on the bottle. However, the active ingredients and preservatives can still lose effectiveness over time.
Antibiotic eye drops: These drops treat bacterial infections, but using expired antibiotic eye drops can be a bad idea since they might not handle infections well and could even lead to antibiotic resistance.
Steroid eye drops: Good for inflammation, but they also need to stay effective and uncontaminated, or they might make things worse instead of better.
However, all eye drops have expiration dates for a reason.
What Does the Expiration Date on Eye Drops Mean?
The expiration date on eye drop packaging is set by manufacturers after thorough testing to ensure safety.
This date tells you the last day the product is guaranteed to be:
- Sterile
- Chemically stable
- Effective
After this date, the manufacturer cannot guarantee the safety and effectiveness of the eye drops.
As we explain to our patients at Vision Care Centre, it’s important for eye drops since they’re used on such a delicate area like the eye.
Can You Use Expired Eye Drops?
In short: It’s not recommended.
Eye drops are good to use until the expiration date on the label, as long as you store them the right way.
Once they’re past that date, they can pose some risks. Since they’re liquid or gel, they can break down and get contaminated more easily than pills.
This is especially true after you’ve opened the bottle.
So, using expired eye drops isn’t a smart move, mainly because bacteria can grow in them.
Our eyes are sensitive and can catch infections easily, so using old drops can increase the chances of:
- Eye irritation
- Decreased effectiveness
- Bacterial contamination
- Serious infections or keratitis that could lead to an emergency
It’s just not worth the risk, especially if you’ve already opened the bottle.
Why Do Eye Drops Expire?
Eye drops can expire for a couple of main reasons: First up, sterility issues.
When you open a bottle of eye drops, especially the multi-use ones, it’s important to keep them clean to prevent eye infections.
Even if you store them properly, bacteria can sneak in.
Plus, the preservatives in the drops can start to lose their effectiveness over time, making it easier for germs to grow.
Then there’s chemical degradation.
The active ingredients in the eye drops can break down as they age, which means they might not work as well.
This could leave your eye issues untreated or even make them worse.
What Happens to Eye Drops After Opening Them?
When you pop open a bottle of eye drops, a couple of important things happen.
First, the active ingredients can start to break down, so the drops might not work as well over time.
Second, germs can sneak into the bottle since opening it messes up the sterile seal that keeps the drops clean.
That’s why it’s a good idea to wait until you actually need them before cracking open a new bottle.
Many eye drops have preservatives to stop bacteria from growing and lower the chances of an infection.
You’ll typically find these preservatives in bottles meant for multiple uses.
There are also single-use vials without preservatives, and you shouldn’t use those more than 24 hours after opening them in most cases.
How Long Will Eye Drops Last After Opening Them?
Most specialist suggest tossing out your eye drops about a month after you first crack open the bottle, unless the label says otherwise.
After that time, the preservatives can break down, and that might let bacteria get a chance to grow.
If you can’t remember when you opened the bottle or can’t make out the expiration date, it’s best to just throw them away.
Grab a new bottle, or check with your pharmacy if you have prescription drops.
Different types of medicated eye drops might have their own guidelines for how long you can use them after opening. Typically, they’ll last long enough for your needs.
Always check the instructions on the label or ask at the pharmacy, and make sure to follow them. And don’t hang on to any leftover eye drops once your treatment is finished, unless your doctor says it’s good.
What Happens If You Accidentally Use Expired Eye Drops?
If you used expired eye drops by mistake, don’t worry.
One use might not hurt you, but it depends on how long ago the drops expired and if they were opened.
If your eye feels uncomfortable, rinse it with clean water or sterile saline solution.
Watch for symptoms. If you notice redness, swelling, pain, or blurred vision, contact an eye doctor right away.
Don’t forget to throw away the expired drops.
In Summary
So, can you use expired eye drops?
It might be tempting to save money, but using expired drops can be risky.
If you’re not sure about using them, it’s best to buy a new bottle.
And if you need help picking the right drops or have any questions about your eye health, see us in Toronto.
