The short answer: Yes. A glasses prescription typically expires after one to two years, depending on your age, your eyes, and local regulations. The expiry is not arbitrary: your vision and eye health can change in that time, and a current exam keeps your correction accurate and checks for problems. You need a valid, unexpired prescription to order new glasses.

How long a prescription lasts

Most glasses prescriptions are valid for one to two years from the exam date. The exact term is set by your eye doctor and by local rules, and it can be shorter for children, whose eyes change faster, or for people with certain eye conditions. The expiry date is printed on the prescription.

Why they expire

Your eyes are not fixed. Vision drifts with age, presbyopia sets in after your 40s, and health conditions can change your prescription. Just as important, an eye exam is not only about the numbers; it checks the health of your eyes for issues that have no early symptoms. The expiry date makes sure that check happens regularly.

What the expiry means for ordering

To order new glasses, you need a prescription that has not expired. Reputable sellers ask for a valid prescription, and using an expired one risks lenses that no longer match your eyes. If yours is close to expiring and you want new glasses, book the exam first. See how to buy glasses online.

Can you use an old prescription?

For an emergency backup pair with the same numbers, an old prescription may still give usable vision if nothing has changed. But it is not a substitute for a current exam, and you generally cannot order new glasses against an expired one. If your vision feels different from your last pair, that is a sign the prescription has moved on.

When to get a new exam

Book an exam when your prescription is near or past its expiry, when vision blurs or strains, or on the routine schedule for your age. Most adults benefit from an exam every one to two years, more often with age or a health condition; see how often to get an eye exam. Learn to read the result in how to read your prescription.

From our test bench. The practical tip: check the date on your prescription before you fall in love with a new frame. People often start shopping, then find their prescription lapsed, and the order stalls. A quick exam first turns a two-step scramble into a smooth order.

FAQ

How long is a glasses prescription valid?

Usually one to two years from the exam date, set by your eye doctor and local rules. It can be shorter for children or people with certain eye conditions. The expiry date is printed on the prescription.

Can I order glasses with an expired prescription?

Generally no. Reputable sellers require a valid, unexpired prescription, because your eyes may have changed. Book a new exam before ordering.

Why do eye prescriptions expire?

Because vision and eye health change over time, and a regular exam catches issues with no early symptoms. The expiry date ensures your correction stays accurate and your eyes are checked.

Part of How to Buy Glasses Online · Related: how often to get an eye exam · Browse eyeglasses · Last updated: August 5, 2026