I wonder if this eye drop is still safe and ok to use? How to interpret Eye Drop Expiration Dates.
Scenario: you dig an eye drop bottle from deep in your travel bag. The expiration date on the worn label is next month .. is this drop still ok to put in your eye? Maybe... Maybe not...
Although drops are all stamped with eye drop expiration dates, this date is irrelevant once the bottle is open!
How long the drop is actually effective and safe after opening is dependent on the bottle and it’s contents. Most standard bottles with preserved drops will have a 30 day shelf life once opened. This means that contents should be used or disposed within one month of opening…independent of the expiration date on the bottle.
Special eye drop bottle designs can extend this open-bottle shelf life up to 3 or 6 or even 12 months. These advanced bottle designs also have the added benefit of no-preservation chemicals.
Single use drops are also great for providing clean, no-preservative options. Once a single use vial is opened… it should be used withing 24 hours.
My clinical recommendation for patients wanting to use drops ‘as needed’ e.g. for computer dry eye.. would be to use a drop with a bottle providing anti-evaporative ingredients, non preserved and have a very long - opened - shelf life like I-drop MGD. This drop offers an impressive 2 months open shelf life!
All mEYEspa eye drop expiration dated are checked regularly to ensure that you are not receiving short expiration dated product. See the bottom of our product listings to see live expiration dated on current inventory. Be careful of fake eye drops as expiration dates are the least of your worries!
Looking for product recommendations? Try the mEYEspa product guidance quiz
RELATED TOPICS: Basic Dry Eye Guide, How can preservative-free drops last longer?
Bottle Information: HYLO Bottles, Thea Bottles
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Away from corporate influences and their churn, I believe in time and an unhurried environment. At mEYEspa and my clinic, we are UNcorporate Optometry. I have special interest in occupational vision needs, concussive injury to the visual system and dry eye management. I am the owner of mEYEspa and a dedicated to the delivery of relevant information and clinic-tested eye care products. -Doctor of Optometry - University of Waterloo 1994 -Honors Bachelor of Science – Waterloo 1994 -Registered Ontario College of Optometrists -Member of Ontario Association of Optometrists -Member of Canadian Association of Optometrists -10 year straight winner of 3 Best Rated Optometrists London ON
