When Do Prescriptions Expire?

Members have asked questions about disclaimers of time limitations or ‘expiry dates' on some optometric prescriptions: e.g. “Not valid if over one year old”. In particular, members wondered whether Opticians are entitled to dispense corrective eyewear from a prescription that is seemingly past its ‘expiry date'.

Unless there is a medical contraindication, setting a generic time limitation on prescriptions is not justified by medical or health safety reasons. From the COA's perspective, Opticians are able to dispense eyewear based on any prescription in accordance with the Standards of Practice - generic ‘expiry dates' should be regarded as a suggested recall examination date only and not a prohibition from providing eyewear.

The COA Standards of Practice provide an excellent guideline for public safety and best practices. Registered Opticians are members of the COA: follow the advice from the COA and not from any other source.