World News

Doctors Find 27 Contacts Lodged in a Patient’s Eye Before Cataract Surgery

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Tony Maples Photography

 

Optometry Today writes that while doctors were prepping a 67-year-old woman in the U.K. for a rather routine cataract surgery, they discovered an odd blue-hued bundle in her eye. Once they removed it, they discovered that it was 17 contact lenses fused together. Once she was taken to the hospital for further evaluation, another 10 contacts were found.

NPR says that the woman didn’t complain of any discomfort. She merely thought that her occasional dry eye was part of old age. She had used monthly contact lenses for 35 years, but hadn’t returned to the doctor for any sort of check up. Her cataract surgery has been postponed to allow for any leftover bacteria harbored by the contacts to clear up. Amazingly, the blue-hued mass hadn’t caused a long-standing infection.

Though the patient found the ordeal embarrassing, Optometry Today explains that “the decision was made to publish the case because the clinicians involved had previously not believed it was possible to retain so many contact lenses without being symptomatic.”

Those who wear contacts lenses should see an eye doctor once a year for a check-up. Also, they should make absolutely sure to remove their contacts each and every night to keep their eyes healthy.