Traveler Recounts Near-Vision Loss After Ignoring Contact Lens Precautions
A corneal ulcer, potentially leading to blindness, resulted from a series of common mistakes including wearing lenses during a long flight, swimming, and showering.
A travel writer's routine use of contact lenses led to a severe corneal ulcer and a near-loss of vision, highlighting common but risky practices among lens wearers. The incident, which required intensive medical treatment, underscores the potential dangers of disregarding proper contact lens hygiene, especially during travel.
Anna Medaris recounted her experience, describing how she wore her contact lenses throughout an 11-hour international flight and for 24 hours afterward. She also continued to wear them while swimming and showering, actions she had previously done without issue. This lapse in care likely caused a small abrasion on her cornea, creating an entry point for microorganisms.
Corneal Ulcer Development
A corneal ulcer is an open sore on the cornea, the transparent outer layer of the eye. This condition can arise from various causes, but often begins with a scratch or abrasion on the cornea's surface, allowing bacteria or other pathogens to infect the tissue. Mismanagement of contact lenses can contribute to both the initial abrasion and the introduction of infectious agents.
"When you have a little break in that protective barrier — the epithelium of the cornea — it makes you vulnerable to the organisms that are normally on your ocular surface," explained Kathryn A. Colby, chair of Ophthalmology at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. In Medaris's case, the prolonged wear of lenses during the flight and subsequent water exposure likely created the conditions for an infection to take hold.
Symptoms and Treatment
Medaris experienced pain and extreme light sensitivity in her right eye, eventually leading to a whiteout of her vision. These symptoms are characteristic of a corneal ulcer. Ophthalmologists describe patients often presenting with a red eye, photophobia, swelling, and an inability to open the eye.
Upon seeking medical attention at Mt. Sinai's emergency eye clinic, Medaris was diagnosed with a corneal ulcer. The treatment involved intensive antibiotic eye drops administered hourly for two days, including overnight. This was followed by daily hospital visits for five days, with the frequency of visits gradually decreasing. She also required steroid drops to manage inflammation and reduce scarring.
Masako Chen, an ophthalmologist at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary of Mt. Sinai, noted that while Medaris's case was considered mild to moderate, severe corneal ulcers can, in rare instances, result in vision loss or even the loss of the eye. Medaris ultimately healed with a small scar that slightly blurs her vision.
Prevention and Advice
Medaris emphasized the importance of adhering to contact lens safety guidelines. Experts advise cleaning lenses thoroughly, changing them regularly, and always removing them before sleeping, flying, swimming, or showering. The microorganisms present in water sources pose a significant risk to eye health when contacts are worn.
"There is no safe way to swim with contact lenses, or shower, or use a hot tub," Colby stated, due to the potential presence of harmful microbes. Despite the cornea's resilience, Medaris warned that the risk of serious infection and vision impairment is not worth disregarding these precautions. She now opts for glasses, even for activities where she previously relied on contacts.