This topic is just as much a pet peeve of mine as is the notion of a
"standard" recall interval.

The expiration date should be specified by the doctor on any Rx, unless
he/she wants it to run forever.

The expiration date depends on many factors, and could be from 1 day up
to 5 years.

Just like the followup date.

e.g. If you are prescribing antibiotics for an eye infection, the exp.
date should probably be 1 day.  If the patient doesn't bother to get it
filled by the next day, he/she probably doesn't need an antibiotic at
all. Either way, the followup date should be pretty short, maybe 1 week.

e.g.2 If you are following a patient who has a large spectacle Rx shift,
you might want to make the exp. date in 6 months, as well as the follow
up date.

e.g.3 If you examine a 20 year old emmetrope (routine preventative) with
no ocular issues at all, you might want to recall him/her in 5 years.

Boilerplate expiration dates and followup dates are BAD BAD BAD and
should be outlawed...

w.stacy, o.d.