Warning over 1 activity for anyone wearing contact lenses

An urgent warning has been issued to contact lens wearers regarding one specific activity. A TikTok user shared a video of a woman swimming in a lagoon claiming that she lost her vision temporarily for six months as she wore lenses while swimming.

The user, doctorsooj, shared the video on his feed as he pointed out the real risk behind wearing lenses to the pool. The social media user explained that it is not advisable to wear contact lenses particularly in lakes, lagoons, hot tubs, and even swimming pools as it massively increases the risk of infection.

In a one-minute-long video, he explained: "So water can contain a bug called Acanthamoeba. It's a microscopic organism that can attach to your contacts. It can get trapped on the surface of the eye, and it can cause a serious infection called acanthamoeba keratitis. It's incredibly painful. It's really hard to treat. And in some cases, it can cause permanent vision loss."

Wearing contact lenses in water-whether swimming or showering-can pose serious risks to your eye health, the doctor has warned.

If you absolutely must wear them while swimming, it's safest to use daily disposable lenses and discard them immediately afterwards to reduce the chance of infection. Even better, opt for prescription goggles, which protect your eyes without the risks associated with contacts.

According to the experts from Vision Direct, swimming with your contact lenses, or getting them wet should be avoided at all times.

They explained: "Water sports, with your lenses directly exposed, as we've said, are simply a no-go. Your lenses absorb water extremely quickly, and if left in for a long time, while getting wet, will trap all sorts of viruses, germs and bacteria against your eye.

"Acanthamoeba, one of the most dangerous organisms found in these sources, can result in a rare but serious eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis. If left untreated, this infection may lead to inflammation of the cornea, resulting in vision loss down the line.

"Unfortunately, chemicals like chlorine, won't kill all pathogens, and as soft lenses are exceptionally porous and absorbent, the bacteria and the chlorine in pool water can still easily reach and harm your eyes during a dip. Additionally, wet contact lenses will change their shape dramatically, making them uncomfortable to wear, and distorting or blurring your sight."