WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
WomensHealth
  • News
  • Health
  • Fitness
  • Sex & Love
  • Food
  • Lifestyle
  • Weight Loss
  • Women In Sport
  • Podcasts
  • Motoring
  • Video
Subscribe
Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey
Watch 1:41

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey

{headline}

{headline}

Kim Kardashian Commits This Beauty Faux Pas Almost Every Day

Kim Kardashian Commits This Beauty Faux Pas Almost Every Day

PSA: Your Hair Tie Is Probably Crawling With Bacteria

PSA: Your Hair Tie Is Probably Crawling With Bacteria

Nicole Kidman Swears By This Morning Ritual For Her Happy Marriage

Nicole Kidman Swears By This Morning Ritual For Her Happy Marriage

Deodorant, Antiperspirant And Clinical Antiperspirant – What’s The Diff?

Deodorant, Antiperspirant And Clinical Antiperspirant – What’s The Diff?

{headline}

{headline}

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

Peeing In The Shower Is Actually Kind Of Good For You, So Stop Worrying About It​

Peeing In The Shower Is Actually Kind Of Good For You, So Stop Worrying About It​

A Woman Lost Her Toenails After A Fish Pedicure

A Woman Lost Her Toenails After A Fish Pedicure

{headline}

{headline}

1 In 3 People Don’t Wash Their Active Wear After Working Out

1 In 3 People Don’t Wash Their Active Wear After Working Out

This Is Officially Considered The Biggest Relationship Deal-Breaker

This Is Officially Considered The Biggest Relationship Deal-Breaker

This Image Will Make You Think Twice About Using A Bathroom Hand Dryer

This Image Will Make You Think Twice About Using A Bathroom Hand Dryer

(Sponsor)

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

4 Reasons Your Next Workout Should Be a Swim

4 Reasons Your Next Workout Should Be a Swim

  1. Home
  2. Health

The Scary Reason You Shouldn't Swim With Contact Lenses In

Yeah, no thanks. - by Lucy B
  • 08 Sep 2017
The Scary Reason You Shouldn't Swim With Contact Lenses In Getty

Unless you're keen to contract a flesh-eating eye bug, we’d suggest you don't swim with contact lenses in.

Researchers are warning that Acanthamoeba Keratitis - a parasite commonly known as AK that’s primarily found in hot tubs and pools across the world – is easily picked up by the eyewear.

The parasite feeds on bacteria and if left to burrow, can penetrate through the eyeball.

But while the condition is rare, it’s very serious and can cause total blindness in a matter of weeks.

“[It’s] pure torture,” says Parwez Hossain, a consultant ophthalmologist at Southhampton General Hospital’s eye unit told the Express Digest. 

“The amoeba is attacking the nerves of the cornea – and treatment itself is very painful.”

“It can involve a year of regular and toxic eye drops.”

In some cases, corneal transplants are required to completely remove the parasite.

“The problem is that people have no idea of the risks of swimming or showering while wearing lenses,” Hossain adds. 

“At Southhampton we have noticed an increase as have other eye units around the country, perhaps due to a lack of awareness of contact lense hygiene.”

RELATED: The Disgusting Reason Why You Should Rethink Refilling Your Water Bottle

An analysis of all cases of AK documented in the past 18 years shows that 86 per cent had left their eyewear in to go swimming.

The study, which was first published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, only identified 34 cases in Australia over the same time frame. 

Speaking with the Daily Mail, David Allamby, medical director of London’s Focus Clinic described AK as a “particularly nasty infection.”

“It might be tempting to leave your contacts in before taking a swim, particularly if you’re planning to wear goggles. But, as these new findings prove, there really shouldn’t be an excuse; either take them out before you jump in or go to the gym instead,” he said.

Noted. 

RELATED: The Reason Why You Should Never Drink Water Before Bed

HALF PRICE SALE - NOW ON

Just $46.80 for 12 issues

SAVE 50% Subscribe Now
HALF PRICE SALE - NOW ON

Recommended to you

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey
Watch 1:41

Jelena Dokic opens up about weight loss journey

{headline}

{headline}

Kim Kardashian Commits This Beauty Faux Pas Almost Every Day

Kim Kardashian Commits This Beauty Faux Pas Almost Every Day

PSA: Your Hair Tie Is Probably Crawling With Bacteria

PSA: Your Hair Tie Is Probably Crawling With Bacteria

Nicole Kidman Swears By This Morning Ritual For Her Happy Marriage

Nicole Kidman Swears By This Morning Ritual For Her Happy Marriage

Deodorant, Antiperspirant And Clinical Antiperspirant – What’s The Diff?

Deodorant, Antiperspirant And Clinical Antiperspirant – What’s The Diff?

{headline}

{headline}

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

Cate Campbell Is The 2018 Women’s Health Sportswoman Of The Year

Peeing In The Shower Is Actually Kind Of Good For You, So Stop Worrying About It​

Peeing In The Shower Is Actually Kind Of Good For You, So Stop Worrying About It​

A Woman Lost Her Toenails After A Fish Pedicure

A Woman Lost Her Toenails After A Fish Pedicure

{headline}

{headline}

1 In 3 People Don’t Wash Their Active Wear After Working Out

1 In 3 People Don’t Wash Their Active Wear After Working Out

This Is Officially Considered The Biggest Relationship Deal-Breaker

This Is Officially Considered The Biggest Relationship Deal-Breaker

This Image Will Make You Think Twice About Using A Bathroom Hand Dryer

This Image Will Make You Think Twice About Using A Bathroom Hand Dryer

(Sponsor)

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

A Day In The Life Of Olympic Swimmer Emma McKeon

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

The Secret Life Of Ellie Cole

4 Reasons Your Next Workout Should Be a Swim

4 Reasons Your Next Workout Should Be a Swim

WomensHealth
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement
WomensHealth Magazine Subscribe
  • About Us
  • Subscribe Today
  • Contact Us
  • Pacific Magazines
  • Partners
  • 7Plus
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Privacy Statement

Brands

  • Beauty Crew
  • Home Beautiful
  • Instyle
  • marie claire
  • Who

Pacific Network

  • Better Homes and Gardens
  • BHG Shop
  • New Idea food
  • New Idea
  • Men’s Health
  • Girlfriend
  • That’s Life
  • All Recipes
  • Practical Parenting
© 2019 Pacific Magazines