Surgeons find 27 contact lenses lodged in woman's eye

A British woman who thought her eye discomfort was due to dry eye and old age was shocked when surgeons found 27 contact lenses stuck in her eye while preparing her for cataract surgery

The incident happened in November last year and was reported in the British Medical Journal. 17 lenses, which resembled a ‘blueish mass’ were initially discovered in the 67-year-old patient’s eye by an eye specialist. A further examination revealed that another 10 lenses were stuck in the eye.

Rupal Morjaria, a specialist trainee ophthalmologist who dealt with the case at Solihull Hospital near Birmingham, told Optometry Today: ‘None of us have ever seen this before.

‘It was such a large mass. All the 17 contact lenses were stuck together. We were really surprised that the patient didn’t notice it because it would cause quite a lot of irritation while it was sitting there.’

As a result of the findings, the woman, who said she was unaware that the lenses were missing, had her operation postponed as the risk of developing endophthalmitis, inflammation of the interior of the eye, was increased.

Ms Morjaria added: ‘She was quite shocked. When she was seen two weeks after I removed the lenses she said her eyes felt a lot more comfortable.’

The woman did not report any symptoms in an assessment prior to surgery.

The woman thought her discomfort was related to old age and dry eye (Picture: Rupal Morjaria)