{"id":2075,"date":"2023-10-18T15:48:28","date_gmt":"2023-10-18T19:48:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/?p=2075"},"modified":"2026-04-02T03:12:38","modified_gmt":"2026-04-02T07:12:38","slug":"how-long-do-glasses-prescriptions-last","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.warbyparker.com\/learn\/how-long-do-glasses-prescriptions-last","title":{"rendered":"How Long Do Glasses Prescriptions Last?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Glasses prescriptions typically expire one to two years after the prescription was written. This time frame generally depends on two things:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \n
  1. Your state\u2019s required minimum expiration date:<\/strong> Most states have their own laws regulating when a glasses prescription will expire.<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. The risk of your vision changing more quickly:<\/strong> Your doctor might write a prescription with a sooner expiration date than what is required by state law. For example, if the prescription is for a child with myopia (nearsightedness)<\/a> that is getting worse each year, the prescription might expire after a year rather than after two years.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    In this article, we\u2019ll discuss more about the expiration date of glasses prescriptions, including why they expire and what to do if your prescription is out-of-date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Why Do Eyeglass Prescriptions Expire?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses expire to help ensure that you\u2019re seeing as clearly as possible and that your eye health is at its most optimal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Many eye conditions, like glaucoma<\/a>, can occur with few or no symptoms. By getting a comprehensive eye exam when your prescription expires (or sooner if it expires after more than a year), you\u2019re not only checking your vision but your overall eye health, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Wearing an expired glasses prescription can mean your eyesight isn\u2019t at its best. This can be uncomfortable for you, and it can be dangerous, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Glasses that don\u2019t contain a current prescription can cause issues such as eye strain<\/a>, blurry vision, double vision, headaches, eye pain<\/a>, and even nausea. These issues make it difficult to do everyday things like watching movies, recognizing someone, or doing your work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    However, in case you were wondering, wearing the wrong glasses prescription (or even the right prescription) cannot<\/em> make your eyes worse<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    So, why are glasses prescriptions only valid for a year or two?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    It\u2019s natural for your vision to change<\/a> as time passes. So prescription changes are natural, too. Needing a stronger prescription each year or every few years\u2014such as for refractive errors like myopia, hyperopia (farsightedness)<\/a>, or astigmatism<\/a>\u2014isn\u2019t unusual. It\u2019s also common in middle age to need a new glasses prescription for reading glasses<\/a>, progressives<\/a>, or bifocals to address presbyopia<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Where To Find Your Glasses Prescription Expiration Date<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    According to the Eyeglass Rule<\/a> enforced by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), your eye doctor is required to give you a copy of your glasses prescription\u2014at no extra charge\u2014right after completing your eye exam.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    When you read the prescription<\/a>, you should see an expiration date. If you can\u2019t find your prescription, contact your eye doctor for a copy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Can I Get Glasses With an Expired Prescription?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    No. The expiration date of your glasses prescription is the last day you can get corrective lenses using that prescription. If your glasses prescription is no longer valid, you\u2019ll need a shiny new prescription to get new glasses<\/a> or replacement lenses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n

    \n\t\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\"Need\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t
    \n\t\t\t\t\t

    Need a new prescription?<\/h2>\n\t\t\t\t

    Visit one of our expert optometrists for an eye exam<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t

    \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBook an appointment <\/svg>\n<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n<\/section>\n\n
    \n\n\n\n

    What Do I Do if My Glasses Prescription Is Out Of Date?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If your eyewear prescription has already expired, schedule an appointment for an eye exam as soon as possible. Not only will you keep your prescription current, but your eye doctor will check for other eye conditions and prescribe any treatment that\u2019s needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Of course, it\u2019s best to get an exam before the eye prescription expiration date comes around, especially if you notice any signs you need new eyeglasses<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    See Here: Wearing a Current Prescription is Important<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Taking proper care of your eye health includes making sure your prescription is correct. Keep up with your comprehensive eye exams<\/a>. And if you do need an updated prescription, there\u2019s an obvious bonus: You get the chance to shop for new frames, too.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Glasses prescriptions typically expire one to two years after the prescription was written. This time frame generally depends on two things: In this article, we\u2019ll discuss more about the expiration date of glasses prescriptions, including why they expire and what to do if your prescription is out-of-date. Why Do Eyeglass Prescriptions Expire? Prescriptions for eyeglasses […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":2076,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2075","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-eyewear"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nHow Long Do Glasses Prescriptions Last? | Warby Parker<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Glasses prescriptions are valid for one to two years. 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