5 Signs Your Contact Lens Prescription Is Expired

Home » Blog » 5 Signs Your Contact Lens Prescription Is Expired

Posted by: Missouri Eye Institute in Blog on September 12, 2022

We all know we should get an annual eye examination, whether we have a prescription for corrective eyewear or not. But for those with prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses, keeping up with changes in the eyes is even more important.

That’s because eyes can be unpredictable. While many vision correction prescriptions are good for a year or two, sometimes these changes can occur sooner.

Has it been more than six months or so since your last eye appointment? If so, it may be time for a follow-up visit if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms:

1. Blurry vision.

This may seem obvious, but people sometimes miss this symptom because their brain automatically fills in the gaps, or they assume symptoms must be constant to count. Not so! Blurry vision – even very short periods of fuzziness – could be a sign that your contacts or eyeglasses are no longer working for you. 

2. Headaches.

As your eyes strain to compensate for an out-of-date prescription, tension headaches can develop. There can be many reasons for headaches, so patients often don’t connect the dots between pain and vision changes.

3. Eye fatigue.

If your eyes often feel tired, it may be more than just too many hours on your smartphone. Eye fatigue from expired eyewear will make it difficult for you to keep your eyes open or to focus on things for more than a short period of time.

4. Eye strain.

When your natural eye or your eyewear prescription are no longer focusing properly on the task at hand, your eye muscles naturally work harder to compensate to get the correct focal point. This can happen after a prolonged period of intense focus, but it can also result from a prescription that is no longer right for your refractive error.

5. Squinting.

We squint instinctively when our eyes need help focusing, sometimes without even realizing we’re doing it. If you notice yourself squinting (in normal levels of light), tilting your head or covering an eye to read or focus, it may be time to visit an ophthalmologist to see if it could be your prescription.

Want a solution to vision issues that lasts much longer than prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses? Consider a vision correction procedure through LASIK eye surgery. Over time, the short-term investment of laser vision correction surgery can save you money compared to the lifetime costs of glasses and contacts.

Missouri Eye Institute has helped thousands of patients attain freedom from glasses and contact lenses. Contact us at (800) 383-3831 to schedule a LASIK consultation or visit MissouriEye.com to learn more about our services