👁️ Contact Lens Reminders

Contact Lens Renewal Reminder
Before You Run Out

Most contact lens wearers only discover their prescription has expired when they try to reorder. By then, they're stretching old lenses, scrambling for an eye exam appointment, and wearing contacts that may no longer match their vision. Set a reminder weeks before your expiration date and skip the scramble entirely.

Create a Reminder

Done in seconds. No sign-up required.

Easy to forget. Annoying to fix.

Contact lens prescriptions expire quietly, and catching up is never convenient.

45M+

Americans wear contact lenses, most with prescriptions that expire annually

CDC, Contact Lens Health

1 in 3

contact lens wearers report wearing their lenses longer than recommended

American Optometric Association

$250+

average cost of a contact lens exam and fitting when you have to rush one

vs. covered by insurance when planned ahead

Why contact lens renewals keep getting missed

A 12-month interval is too long for your brain to track reliably. You got your last exam in... March? April? You're not sure, and your optometrist's office may or may not send a reminder. Even if they do, it goes to the email address you gave them two years ago.

The result is predictable. You open a new box of contacts, realize it's your last one, try to reorder online, and get hit with "prescription expired." Now you need an appointment, which takes 2-3 weeks to schedule, plus time for the new prescription to be processed. Meanwhile, you're wearing lenses that may be the wrong strength.

A reminder set for 6 weeks before your prescription expires gives you time to book the exam on your terms, not on the last pair of lenses you have left.

How it works

Three steps. No account. No app to install.

1

Enter your prescription expiration date

Check your last receipt, your lens box, or call your optometrist. Enter the date your current prescription expires.

2

Get reminded before it lapses

You'll get an email 30 days before expiration, on the day, and follow-ups after. Enough lead time to book an exam without rushing.

3

Mark it done when you've renewed

One click in the email marks the reminder complete. Then set a new one for next year's expiration. That's it.

What to include in your reminder

When you set your contact lens renewal reminder, add these details in the notes field so future-you has everything needed to act quickly:

Related guides

Common questions about contact lens renewal reminders

How often do you need to renew a contact lens prescription?

In most US states, contact lens prescriptions expire after one year. A few states allow two-year prescriptions. You need a new eye exam and fitting before you can reorder lenses once your prescription lapses.

Can I order contacts with an expired prescription?

No. Federal law (the Fairness to Contact Lens Consumers Act) requires sellers to verify your prescription before fulfilling an order. If it has expired, the seller cannot legally ship your lenses until you get a new exam.

What happens if I keep wearing contacts past my prescription date?

Your vision may have changed without you noticing. Wearing the wrong prescription causes eye strain, headaches, and can mask early signs of conditions like glaucoma or keratoconus. The prescription expiration exists to catch these changes.

How far in advance should I schedule my contact lens exam?

Book your appointment 4 to 6 weeks before your prescription expires. Popular optometrists fill up fast, and this buffer gives you time to get the exam, receive the new prescription, and reorder lenses before your current supply runs out.

Does 1-800 Contacts notify me when my prescription expires?

Some retailers send renewal reminders, but only if you purchased through them. If you buy from different sources or switch providers, those reminders stop. A standalone reminder tied to your actual expiration date works regardless of where you buy.

Is a contact lens prescription the same as an eyeglasses prescription?

No. Contact lens prescriptions include additional measurements like base curve and diameter that are specific to the lens sitting on your eye. You need a separate contact lens fitting even if your glasses prescription is current.

Stop tracking your prescription in your head

Enter your expiration date once. Get reminded when it's time to book your exam, not after you've run out of lenses.

Set My Contact Lens Reminder

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