Medical Mystery: 27 Contact Lenses Hidden in Woman's Eye Before Surgery

Diagnostic Dilemma: How 27 Contact Lenses Were Discovered in a Woman’s Eye

Routine medical procedures rarely lead to jaw-dropping discoveries, but for a 67-year-old woman in the U.K., her cataract surgery preparation uncovered an unbelievable surprise. In what can only be described as a diagnostic conundrum, doctors found 27 contact lenses lodged in her eye, raising questions about patient education and eye care practices.

The Patient and Her Routine Surgery

The patient was scheduled for cataract surgery on her right eye. Despite her vision in the right eye being worse than the left, she had no significant history of eye complaints. Her only preoperative remark was mild discomfort, which she attributed to dry eye and aging—common assumptions among older patients.

The Startling Discovery

While administering anesthesia, doctors noticed a strange bluish mass beneath the patient’s upper eyelid. What initially seemed like a minor obstruction turned out to be a clump of 17 disposable contact lenses, fused together with mucus. A closer examination using a microscope revealed 10 more lenses, bringing the total to 27.

How Did This Happen?

The patient, a longtime user of monthly disposable contact lenses, admitted to wearing them for 35 years but rarely visiting an optometrist. Although these lenses are designed for 30-day use with nightly removal, it appeared that several had been inadvertently left in her eye over time.

This accumulation might have gone unnoticed due to her deep-set eyes, which could have made retaining multiple lenses easier. Additionally, she occasionally struggled to remove lenses from her right eye and assumed they had fallen out when she couldn’t locate them.

The Diagnosis: Retained Foreign Bodies

This case highlights the issue of retained foreign bodies in the eye. While such occurrences are rare, they can lead to serious complications like infections, corneal abrasions, and inflammation.

Treatment and Precautions

The lenses started falling out naturally as doctors administered anesthesia into the eye socket. The remaining lenses were carefully removed using precision tools. Due to the risk of bacterial buildup and potential infection, the patient’s cataract surgery was postponed for two weeks to allow her eye to recover fully.

What Makes This Case Unique?

Despite years of improper lens use, the patient reported no severe eye irritation or infections. This anomaly underscores the importance of routine eye exams and proper patient education regarding contact lens care.

Lessons for Medical Professionals

1. Proper Lens Monitoring: Eye doctors should routinely check for retained lenses, particularly in patients with long-term lens use. Techniques such as flipping the eyelids and using fluorescein stain can help uncover hidden lenses.
2. Patient Education: Emphasize the importance of daily lens removal, regular eye check-ups, and understanding the risks of improper contact lens use.
3. Investigating Discomfort: Any unexplained eye discomfort, even minor, warrants a thorough investigation to rule out hidden causes.

A Cautionary Tale for Contact Lens Users

This extraordinary case serves as a reminder for all contact lens users about the importance of proper hygiene and regular ophthalmologic evaluations. For doctors, it highlights the need for vigilance in spotting potential foreign bodies, even in routine procedures.