Woman warns of common contact lens mistake that left her blind

Last year, Rachel Prochnow of Texas did something she often did: She showered with her contacts in. The problem began with mild irritation in her right eye that worsened until she went blind.

Rachel Prochnow, writer Life style from Austin, was 34 weeks pregnant when she took a shower and felt irritation in her eyes, says Daily mail.

The hospital explained what had happened. A parasite that should have been in the bath water had entered his eye and attached itself to the tissue, eventually causing damage. Doctors diagnosed him with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a single-celled organism that can be found in lakes, oceans, tap water, soil and air. The parasite typically attacks the cornea, the clear layer of the eye, and can multiply, causing pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light and tearing.

Rachel has been wearing contact lenses since she was 12 and says Daily mailhe had his own daily routine with the lenses: he took them out at night and disinfected them. However, I was not aware of the effects and infections that could occur when used in water.

Rachel shared Tik Tak that “due to the severity of the disease” she was forced to induce labor at 27 weeks and that two months later she was still battling the disease.

The writer accounts for 40% of cases that require surgical intervention, which involves shaving the cornea. In Rachel’s case, the cornea had to be replaced.

A According to the Cleveland Clinic, Each year, 1,500 Americans may suffer from this parasite, and about 90% of these cases occur in people who wear contact lenses. To reduce the chance of getting an infection, it is best to remove your lenses before swimming or showering and not to exceed the recommended wearing period.