How long is an eye prescription good for?

If your child is short-sighted (myopic), you’ve probably wondered: how long is an eye prescription good for? The short answer is that a glasses prescription is a snapshot of your child’s vision on the day of the eye test. Children’s eyes can change quickly, especially when myopia is progressing, so relying on an old prescription can leave them struggling to see clearly and may delay important myopia management.

How long does a glasses prescription last in practice?

In the UK, there isn’t a single legal “expiry date” for a spectacle prescription. However, most opticians recommend a routine eye test at least every two years, and more often for children.

Because children’s vision can change rapidly, many practices advise eye exams every 6–12 months for kids with myopia, or sooner if there are symptoms.

Retailers and insurers often set their own rules about how recent a prescription must be before dispensing glasses—commonly within the last 24 months for adults and within the last 12 months for children. Policies vary, so your optician will guide you.

Contact lenses are different: aftercare is usually every 6–12 months, and suppliers typically require a current contact lens specification before supply.

Why using an out-of-date prescription is a problem

Blurry vision:

Kids may squint, move closer to the TV/board, or avoid activities they used to enjoy.

Eye strain and headaches:

Outdated correction can cause fatigue, irritability, and trouble concentrating.

School and safety:

Clear vision supports learning, confidence, and safe participation in sports and play.

Missed monitoring:

Regular checks are essential to track how quickly myopia is changing so that management can be adjusted.

How often should my child have an eye test?

At least every two years as a baseline, but for children with myopia, 6–12 months is commonly recommended. Book sooner if you notice squinting, rubbing eyes, headaches, sitting very close to screens, difficulty seeing the board, or slipping school performance. If your child has just started a myopia management treatment, expect more frequent reviews (often 3–6 months) to ensure it’s working well.

Do eye prescriptions “expire”?

While a prescription may not have a legal expiry date, many practices won’t dispense glasses from an older prescription because it may no longer reflect your child’s vision. Think of it like shoe sizes—kids outgrow them, and their glasses prescription can “outgrow” too.

Why glasses are important for children with myopia

Clear vision:

Sharp, comfortable vision is vital for reading, learning, confidence, and safety.

Support for myopia management:

Special myopia control spectacle lenses are now available and have been shown to slow myopia progression. Even if your child uses contact lenses or orthokeratology, up-to-date backup glasses are essential.

Everyday comfort:

Properly fitted glasses help reduce eye strain and support good visual habits.

Myopia management:

don’t just correct—manage

Correcting vision is only part of the picture. Myopia management aims to slow how fast a child’s prescription gets stronger over time, reducing the lifetime risk of eye health complications linked with high myopia, such as retinal detachment, glaucoma, and myopic maculopathy.

• How long is an eye prescription good for? For children, plan on 6–12 month checks, or sooner if symptoms appear.

• Don’t wait for a “big” change—small updates can make a big difference in comfort, learning, and safety.

• Prioritise myopia management early to help slow progression, alongside keeping glasses up to date.

For more trusted guidance, evidence‑based options and practical support, read our complete guide on myopia control.