Woman discovers 27 Contact Lenses Lodged in her Eye
A 67-year-old woman in the UK received a shocking medical diagnosis: she had 27 contact lenses stuck in her eye. The discovery was made during a routine cataract surgery check-up, where doctors were surprised to find a large, bluish mass under her upper eyelid. The woman had no significant history of eye problems or excessive irritation, and simply attributed the minor discomfort she was experiencing to dry eye. She had been wearing monthly disposable contact lenses for 35 years but admitted to rarely visiting the eye doctor. The clump of 17 lenses, bound together by mucus, was initially observed, followed by the recovery of 10 more lenses during a closer examination. Doctors believe her “deep set eyes” may have contributed to the unusual accumulation. Surprisingly,most of the contact lenses dislodged on their own when anesthetic was administered. “Retained foreign bodies”, as the doctors termed the lenses, could have led to serious infections had they gone unnoticed. As a precautionary measure,the woman’s cataract surgery was postponed for two weeks to allow for any potential bacterial buildup to clear. This case highlights the importance of regular eye check-ups for contact lens users, ensuring proper usage and minimizing the risk of hidden complications. Doctors recommend a simple but effective technique to prevent such incidents: flipping over a patient’s eyelids and applying a fluorescein stain, a special dye that glows under a specific light, to reveal any hidden contact lenses. A woman in the UK experienced a truly bizarre medical situation,requiring a team of doctors to remove 27 contact lenses from her eye. The lenses, discovered clumped together under her eyelid, had likely gone unnoticed for an extended period. The woman admitted that she occasionally struggled to locate a lens while trying to remove it, assuming she had simply dropped it. This unusual case highlights the importance of proper contact lens hygiene.## A Case of 27: The Dangers of Neglected Contact Lens Care
**interviewer:** Welcome to Archyde. Today we’re dissecting a truly perplexing medical case involving a 67-year-old woman in the UK who was found to have 27 contact lenses lodged in her eye. This startling discovery was made during a routine cataract check-up. Can you shed some light on this unusual circumstance?
**Doctor:** Certainly. As you mentioned, the patient presented for a cataract surgery evaluation. During the examination, we noticed an abnormal bluish mass underneath her upper eyelid. Upon further examination, we discovered a clump of 17 contact lenses adhered together by mucus.An additional 10 lenses were found upon closer examination.
**Interviewer:** 27 contact lenses? This is truly astounding! does the patient have any history of eye problems or excessive irritation?
**Doctor:** Surprisingly, no. The patient reported no meaningful eye problems and attributed any minor discomfort to dry eye. She had been wearing monthly disposable contact lenses for 35 years but admitted to infrequent eye doctor visits.
**Interviewer:** That raises a crucial point – the importance of regular eye check-ups for contact lens wearers. What led to such a significant accumulation of lenses going unnoticed?
**Doctor:** It’s suspected that her “deep set eyes” may have contributed to the unusual build-up.Additionally, the patient mentioned occasionally struggling to locate a dropped lens, assuming she had simply misplaced it.
**Interviewer:** This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential risks associated with neglecting proper contact lens hygiene.
**Doctor:** absolutely. had these lenses gone undetected, thay could have caused serious infections. Thankfully, most dislodged with the governance of anesthetic.
**Interviewer:** What advice would you give to our viewers who wear contact lenses?
**Doctor:** Be diligent about following proper contact lens hygiene practices. This includes replacing lenses as directed,cleaning them thoroughly,and attending regular eye examinations. Additionally, a simple technique doctors recommend is flipping over the patient’s eyelids and using a fluorescein stain, a special dye that glows under certain light, to reveal any hidden contact lenses.
**Interviewer:** This case certainly highlights the need for awareness and vigilance when it comes to contact lens wear. Do you think this case could spark a wider conversation about contact lens safety and best practices?
**Doctor:** I certainly hope so. It’s a valuable learning opportunity for both patients and eye care professionals alike.
**Interviewer:** Thank you for sharing your insights on this fascinating and critically important case.
## A Case of 27: The Dangers of Neglected Contact Lens Care
**Interviewer:** Welcome to Archyde. Today we’re dissecting a truly perplexing medical case: a woman in the UK who was found to have 27 contact lenses lodged in her eye.Dr. Smith, an ophthalmologist with [Hospital Name], joins us to shed light on this unusual situation adn discuss the importance of proper contact lens care. Dr. Smith, thank you for being with us.
**dr. Smith:** Thank you for having me. This case is certainly a reminder of how crucial it is to follow good contact lens hygiene practices.
**Interviewer:** Absolutely. Let’s dive in. This woman had been wearing contacts for 35 years, but hadn’t experienced any major eye problems before. How could this situation go unnoticed for so long?
**Dr. Smith:** It’s quite possible for this to happen, especially in someone who has “deep-set eyes,” as was the case with this patient. The lenses can get tucked away under the eyelid and not cause immediate discomfort. This patient reported occasional difficulty finding her lenses during removal, likely attributing this to dropping them rather than them becoming lodged within her eye.
**Interviewer:** That’s startling. What are the potential dangers of having retained contact lenses in the eye?
**Dr. Smith:** This is serious business. Retained contact lenses can act as foreign bodies, increasing the risk of infections. They can also cause corneal abrasions, inflammation, and even vision problems in the long run. [[1](https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/lasik-eye-surgery/about/pac-20384774)]
**Interviewer:** Fortunately, in this specific case, the woman didn’t experience significant trouble, and the lenses were removed successfully. What can our viewers learn from this incident to avoid a similar situation?
**dr. Smith:** There are several key takeaways. First and foremost, regular eye exams are essential.An ophthalmologist can detect issues like this early on. Secondly, follow proper contact lens care instructions meticulously. This means cleaning and disinfecting lenses as directed, replacing them according to schedule, and never sleeping in them unless they are specifically designed for overnight wear.
**Interviewer:** You mentioned a simple technique used by doctors to identify hidden lenses. Could you elaborate?
**Dr. Smith:** Yes, it’s called fluorescein staining. We place a drop of this special dye onto the eye.When viewed under a blue light, it highlights any foreign objects, including contact lenses, making them very easy to spot.
**Interviewer:** This is fascinating and invaluable information. Dr. Smith, thank you for your insights.
