Gas permeable contact lens has split

[pippop1]

Any contact lens experts around?

I've been wearing contact lenses since I was 13 in and I'm now in my early 50s.

Currently I have gas permeable ones. I've had this particular pair since Nov 2012 which happen to be my first pair of monovision ones. (This means one eye is set to be best for distance and one for reading - sounds bizarre but it really works - for driving I have glasses that make both good for distance).

Anyway, just now I was rinsing one of them with saline as it felt strangely uncomfortable and the lens was suddenly in two halves between my fingers. I don't think I used any more force than usual and I've never had such a thing happen before.

Would it be unreasonable to ask for a replacement one for free (I think it was around £60 per lens) or is this the life I should expect of them?

Before monovision I would have expected another year or so at least out of them before the optician told me that they were too scratched to wear.

I am scrupulous with my cleaning regime and have only once had an eye infection in 39 years of contact lenses!

Also, I always go to the same optician and see the same very good guy. It's an independent one with just two practices. I've been going there for at least ten years.

Not sure whether to ask for a free one or not? Obviously I'd rather not pay if it shouldn't have cracked!

Any opinions please?

Of course you should ask! Worst they can do is say no. Were you ever told how long the lenses should last?

No I wasn't. I will ask and see what happens. They are certainly the shortest time I have ever had one (apart from losing one of course). I've done that quite a few times over the 39 years.

I would be shocked if they offer you a replacement or refund! You have had them for 18months & I presume worn daily.
You would wear them for another 2 years- are you having a laugh?
Most opticians recommend they are changed yearly! £60 per lens is a bargain too.

I had gas permeable ones too, and as my eyes didn't get any worse my optician said they were in such excellent condition there was no need to change them. I had them for about 4 years.

So yes, I would most definitely explain that you hadn't used any extra force, had treated them exactly as you had previous ones (you have good experience with lenses) and that you think it might have been a fault in the lens itself.

In the days when I wore my GP contact lenses every day. I used to replace them every 12 months, so I think you'd be lucky if you got a refund.

You should definitely replace them yearly if you can. Working out at £120 a year it's still definitely cheper than soft lenses. But I work in an opticians and wouldn't be giving any refund on a pair that old. If they were less then a year I may send them away to see why it happened in case if fault but at 18 months would just advise you to get a new set yearly.