Eye drops are an eye care product that can relieve irritated eyes or treat eye conditions. They can be prescribed by an eye doctor or purchased over the counter to help with eye problems like dryness, redness, and itchiness.
If you’ve ever examined a bottle of eye drops, you’ll probably have noticed an expiration date listed on it. But does that date really mean anything?
Patients frequently ask eye doctors whether they can use expired eye drops. It’s recommended that users avoid putting expired drops in their eyes. Doing so can cause unwanted side effects and raise the risk of developing an infection.
This article discusses the risks of using expired eye drops, how to dispose of them, and what to do if you’ve used drops after they’ve expired.
Yes, just like other medications, eye drops have an expiration date label. The expiration date is usually listed as “EXP” on the medication's packaging.
Expiration dates are considered safety measures in the medical field. They indicate that the medication is safe to use before reaching a specific date.
However, some drops expire within days or weeks after opening. This can depend on the type of medication and the manufacturer. Once you open the bottle, the sterile seal breaks, which can increase the risk of contamination or decrease the effectiveness of ingredients in certain types of drops.
If stored properly, eye medications should be safe and effective to use through their expiration date unless otherwise indicated on the label. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you determine the best way to store your eye medications and when to stop using them.
The longevity of eye drops depends on factors such as their ingredients, preservatives, and storage conditions.
Most prescription eye drops contain preservatives to slow down bacterial, fungal, and viral growth. You can usually use them until the printed expiration date, no matter how many times you've opened the bottle, as the preservatives help keep their environment free of contamination.
Some products have preservatives but may only be effective for a shorter time after opening. If you're buying single or multi-use drops, check the instructions that come in the box to see when they expire after breaking the bottle's seal.
However, other drops come with different instructions. You may have to use them within a specific time frame, especially if they don't contain preservatives.
Some products, such as those packaged in individual vials, may not have preservatives. In this case, there are no chemicals to protect the medication from bacterial growth.
This usually means you have to use them within 24 hours, and then dispose of them safely.
Some drops should be kept at room temperature, while others should be refrigerated. In most cases, they need to be kept out of moist or warm environments, such as bathrooms or your car during warm weather. This is because high temperatures and humidity can change the chemical composition of certain ingredients.
As such, it is best to check the instruction label of your eye medication for storage and usage information.
Your eye doctor can help guide you on the safest and most effective way to use your eye medication.
Experts advise against using expired medications, including eye drops. The preservatives often break down after the drops expire, which can lead to bacterial growth. By using expired drops, you’re potentially putting a contaminated substance in your eyes.
While it’s unlikely that using expired drops will lead to blindness, you should always make sure that eye medications are sterile before using them. You can find this information on the product label. It ensures they are free from infectious microorganisms.
Failing to follow the recommended eye drop expiration date can potentially expose you to the following risks:
If you use contaminated drops, you may have an increased risk of developing an eye infection. This can cause pain, blurred vision, and eye discharge, among other symptoms. Some infections could be serious and further affect your eyes or vision.
Using contaminated or expired drops can irritate your eyes. This can cause uncomfortable symptoms, such as eye dryness, itching, a gritty feeling, or a burning sensation.
The potency of expired medication may be decreased, which increases the risk of antibiotic resistance.
Antibiotic resistance happens when bacteria have adapted to an antibiotic. As a result, the surviving bacteria are resistant to the effect of the antibiotic and the medication may no longer be able to cure the infection.
Another risk of using expired eye drops is that expired products can have reduced strength and a change in chemical composition. This can be especially risky if you use drops long-term for a chronic condition.
To reduce the risk of contamination and protect your eye health, you may want to consider:
It is important to check your medication's expiration label and the how-to-dispose instructions.
Drug take-back programs are considered the safest options to properly dispose of unused or expired prescription and over-the-counter medications.
The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has authorized certain facilities, such as some hospitals and pharmacies, to collect expired and unused medications. They have drop-off boxes and in-home disposal methods.
If there is no drug take-back program where you live, you can dispose of expired eye drops or other liquid medications at home. Take the medication out of its original container and place it in a plastic bag or a container mixed with a material such as cat litter, dirt, or coffee grounds. Seal it well and throw it in your household trash. Some medications should be flushed down the toilet to prevent accidental ingestion by children or pets.
If you realize that you’ve accidentally used expired eye drops, you should stop using them. Call your doctor’s office and follow their guidance and recommendations.
It may also be a good idea to schedule a comprehensive eye exam with your eye doctor. They may examine your eyes and look for any signs of infection.
When it comes to your health, it's always best to consult a health care professional. They can provide valuable guidance on how to use your medication correctly, reducing the risk of infection and ensuring optimal treatment.
If you're unsure about the use of your eye drops, don't hesitate to reach out to your doctor or pharmacist for advice.