Can You Use Expired Eye Drops?

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Can You Use Expired Eye Drops? Safety and Effectiveness

an image of some eye drops with expiration dates on each bottle

 

Understanding Eye Drop Expiration

Let’s say you bought some eye drops once. You opened them and used them for a few days. Now, look at the box again. Did you notice the little date? The expiration date is not a polite suggestion, it is usually the date after which the eye drops become ineffective and unsafe. If you insist on using expired eye drops, you will risk experiencing unpleasant side effects and even worsening your eye problem. [1]

Eye drops, of course, are medications, and like all medications, if they’re not stored properly they could lose their potency due to air, humidity or other issues [1].

If you’re using eye drops that have expired, the active ingredients have broken down, and the medication won’t work as well to treat your eye condition.

Besides, expired eye drops can become contaminated if the bottle was opened [1]. An opened bottle of eye drops is more likely to become contaminated and lead to eye infections or other complications.

However, the expiration date does not guarantee that eye drops are still effective and safe, as eye drops in storage conditions that fail to meet manufacturer’s recommendations will expire earlier or may become contaminated. Therefore, eye drop solutions should be used only according to the manufacturer’s storage and use instructions in order to ensure their safe and effective use, and discarded if expired or showed any sign of contamination [1].

Risks of Using Expired Eye Drops

One should consider throwing out eye drops when they become expired as doing so can come with many risks. Here are some the risks of using expired eye drops:

Infection Risk

Expired eye drops that have bacteria growing in them can also lead to serious eye infections. EyeFacts.com says that this bacteria can grow in the bottle over time. This is especially the case for previously opened bottles. If used, this bacterial infection will be transferred to your eyes and can cause an infection. The suggestion is to use these medicines only for the period outlined on the manufacturer’s label and to discard any open bottles after that time.

Reduced Effectiveness

Eye drops that have expired may not be as effective. The active ingredients in the product may destroy themselves over time (a quick Google search reveals that allergy medication takes up to a year to degrade) or lose their potency, resulting in decreased chances of symptom relief, like redness, itchiness and dryness. ‘Always use medicine right at the expiration date and then discard,’ GoodRx says. Never use expired eye drops, it advises.

Chemical Stability Concerns

But expired eye drops could have issues with chemical stability, too. Over time, the chemical composition of the eye drops could change, which can alter the pH or viscosity of the solution. This could make the eye drops less comfortable to use or even uncomfortable to the eyes.

Please note Different eye drops has different expired date, do pay attention to the date printed on the eye drops, do not use it once it expired.

Proper Storage and Handling of Eye Drops

Ensuring that your eye drops are stored and handled properly can prevent them from becoming ineffective or potentially harmful. Most eye drops should be stored at room temperature and away from direct sunlight and high heat. High heat and light can cause the chemical compounds in eye drops to break down, therefore reducing their effectiveness.

To keep eye drops safe and effective, be sure to store and handle them this way:

  • KEEP YOUR EYE DROPS AT A COOL DRY PLACE, AWAY FROM DIRECT SUNLIGHT AND HIGH HEAT PRODUCT.
  • Keep the cap tightly closed to prevent contamination and evaporation of the solution.
  • Don’t let the tip of the dropper come into contact with your fingers or any other surface.
  • Do not share your eye drops with anyone to prevent the spread of infection.
  • Make sure eye drops are still in date, especially if their efficacy depends on viability or freshness. If your eye drops aren’t working, it might be because they’ve expired and spoiled.

Guidelines for Eye Drop Usage

Expiration Date Importance

You risk side effects if you use eye-drops after their usage date. The usage date of eye-drops may become more demanding than it seems in the start, as they may be exposed to air or some other humidity if care is not taken with their storage, for instance. Keeping them away from high temperatures is another thing to ensure. A good practice is to check the expiration date printed on the bottle, and discard them if they have passed it. This is true for opened bottles, and for the one remaining sealed.

Overall, unless it is stated in the package insert, all eye drops should remain safe and effective until the expiration date, as long as they are used and stored properly. Once the bottle’s sterile seal is broken, there is risk of contamination once the bottle tip touches the eye or any other surface.

Recommendations for Disposal

If you have expired eye drops you want to discard, follow these basic instructions. The 28-day discard policy concerning injected drugs does not pertain to multi-dose eye drops, according to the Centers for Medicare Medicaid Service (CMS). However, it is always recommended to discard expired products after the expiration has expired.

To dispose of expired eye drops, follow these steps:

  • Check the label for any specific disposal instructions.
  • Unless told otherwise, dump out this bottle into a ziplock bag or other container.
  • Mix in something unpleasant, such as coffee grounds or kitty litter, that could discourage someone from using the bag or Jar.
  • Seal the bag or container and dispose of it in the trash.

[1]CMS Issues Guidelines Clarifying Expiration Date for Multi-Dose Eye Drops. Bracheichler. 7 Mar 2018. Available at: https://www.bracheichler.com/insights/cms-issues-guidelines-clarifying-expiration-date-for-multi-dose-eye-drops/

Alternatives to Expired Eye Drops

First of all, I reiterated that using expired eye drop medications might have adverse effects. Hence, how to deal with those eye drugs with expired dates? If you have some old expired eye drops, you’d better get rid of them away.Just in case that you need eye drops badly and you don’t have any nonexpired eye drops at your disposal, here are several possibilities.

Artificial Tears

Artificial tears are a popular alternative to expired eye drops, which offers the same ultimate results. Normally, people apply it to their eye lids and it lubricates the eye area and washes away the dust. They often provide long-term relief to dry eyes or other symptoms that cause a sudden influx of tears. It can be applied several times a day without any concerns about expiration dates.

Prescription Eye Drops

A prescription eye drop requires following specific instructions such as from your doctor or pharmacist. The reason for following the prescription is that the eye drop was prescribed to you for an eye condition. Some examples include treating glaucoma or allergies. Abuse of prescription eye drops can lead to devastating effects because these eye drops were prescribed for an eye condition.

Home Remedies

There are also some home remedies you can use if you don’t have any eye drops with you. For example, you could put a warm compress over your closed eyes, which will help reduce your symptoms of dryness and irritation. You can use a wet cloth, or, alternatively, slice cucumbers or use tea bags.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the risks of using expired eye drops?

Using expired eye drops can be harmful to your eyes. The effectiveness of the drops may decrease, and the ingredients may break down or become contaminated, which can lead to infections or other eye problems. It is important to always check the expiration date on your eye drops and dispose of them properly if they have expired.

Is it safe to use eye drops after their expiration date for pink eye treatment?

No, it is not safe to use eye drops after their expiration date, even for pink eye treatment. Expired eye drops can be contaminated and may not be effective in treating the infection. It is important to use fresh eye drops prescribed by a doctor and to dispose of any expired eye drops.

What should one do after accidentally using expired eye drops?

Rinse eyes thoroughly with cool water if you use expired eyedrops. If irritation or pain occurs, seek medical attention. The takeaway: check expiration dates on all your eye drops.

How long past the expiration date are Refresh eye drops considered safe to use?

In this case, GoodRx suggests throwing out any eye drops that have expired, even if they remain unopened – though if they are already opened, Refresh eye drops are safe to use for up to 28 days afterward.

Are unopened eye drops still safe to use after the expiration date?

The use-by date on eye drops is the date by which they are guaranteed to be effective and safe to use. Although eye drops might last longer than the use-by date, it is not recommended to use eye drops after use-by date because you could risk harming your eyes.

What are the potential consequences of using contaminated eye drops?

Using contaminated eye-drops can cause infections and other complications to the eye. Use fresh eye drops, and dispose of expired or contaminated eye-drops as directed. Consult a doctor if you experience any pain or irritation immediately after using eye-drops.