The woman, from China, went in for a completely different procedure before doctors made the shocking discovery.
Doctors are urging contact lens wearers to be more cautious after they stumbled upon a shocking—and slightly unsettling—discovery during a routine procedure.
A 33-year-old woman in China had been living with five contact lenses trapped behind her eye without realizing it. She had gone to the clinic for a cosmetic consultation, completely unaware of the situation.
The woman had originally sought treatment due to concerns about facial asymmetry caused by an unrelated condition. She was experiencing no discomfort or vision issues, making the discovery even more surprising.
Doctors initially suggested a fat injection under sedation to improve the symmetry of her eyes. It wasn’t until they examined her more closely that they noticed something unusual.
During the procedure, several transparent contact lenses suddenly shifted from the upper part of her eye, revealing their presence.
The discovery was later documented in a medical report published in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, where doctors called the case exceptionally rare.
The woman initially went to the doctors to enquire about plastic surgery for an unrelated issue
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
Medical professionals believe that people with hemifacial atrophy, the condition affecting the woman, may be at a higher risk of contact lenses becoming dislodged and getting stuck in the upper part of the eye.
The report stated: “Following the double eversion of the left upper eyelid, a total of five soft contact lenses were discovered.”
It further explained: “After the operation, it was confirmed that the patient had been wearing contact lenses for many years. She recollected instances of losing her left contact lens several times many years prior. Interestingly, she had not experienced any ocular symptoms before this surgical intervention.”
The incident serves as a reminder that people with certain conditions may unknowingly be more vulnerable to lenses slipping into spaces between the eye and eyelid.
Shockingly, this isn’t the first case of its kind.
In the US, ophthalmologist Dr. Katerina Kurteeva made headlines when she posted a viral video showing her removing over 20 contact lenses from a patient’s eye.
The five contact lenses found behind her eye…
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
The patient had visited the clinic after feeling irritation, but she never suspected the cause. Upon closer inspection, Dr. Kurteeva discovered that she had a staggering 23 contact lenses stuck behind her eyelid.
The video, which quickly went viral, carried a simple yet crucial message: “Don’t sleep in your contact lenses”
The woman had been unknowingly stacking new lenses on top of old ones every morning without removing the previous day’s pair, leading to a painful and dangerous build-up.
Doctors emphasize the importance of removing contact lenses before bed and regularly checking for any discomfort, as unnoticed lenses can lead to infections or even long-term damage.
If you wear contacts, consider this your reminder to double-check your eyes—you might be carrying around more lenses than you think.