In a shocking turn of events, a 25-year-old woman in the UK nearly lost her vision due to a severe eye infection caused by her contact lenses. Steph Carrasco’s troubles started as slight eye irritation but soon turned life-threatening. Her story is a stark reminder of the importance of proper eye care, regular check-ups, and prompt medical attention.
The Distressing Itch
Steph Carrasco, a young woman living in the UK, has experienced persistent itchiness in her eye, seemingly harmless at first. Like many contact lens wearers, she assumed it was a minor irritation caused by daily lens use. Unfortunately, her condition was far more severe than ever imagined.
A Terrifying Diagnosis
Upon consulting an eye doctor, Carrasco received a devastating diagnosis. Her eye doctor said she had a severe eye infection caused by bacteria, creating a painful and sight-threatening problem called a corneal ulcer. Her optometrist immediately referred her to a specialist eye hospital for intensive treatment.
A Battle for Sight
Carrasco started her fight to save her eyesight when she had to stay in the hospital for a week. During that time, she had to take 72 antibiotic eye drops daily to heal an eye ulcer. Unfortunately, her eyesight got worse very quickly, and she was terrified. She’s grateful to the medical team for taking great care of her, making quick decisions, and doing everything possible to give her the best treatment.
A Life-Saving Cornea Transplant
Even though the doctors tried very hard to treat Carrasco’s eye ulcer, it didn’t get better. So, they had to do a cornea transplant, which was her best hope to save her eyesight. She faced a difficult and uncertain road to recovery.
Hope on the Horizon
After three weeks of dealing with her eye problem, Carrasco’s vision has shown signs of improvement, and doctors are optimistic that she will fully recover by October. This positive development brings a sense of relief and gratitude to Carrasco, who was told that if she didn’t get treatment earlier, she might have lost her eye, so she’s relieved things are looking up now.
Preventing Corneal Ulcers
Infections or severe dry eyes typically cause corneal ulcers, but contact lens wearers are at a higher risk if they neglect proper lens hygiene or leave them in for extended periods. While most ulcers can be effectively treated with antibiotics or antifungal eye drops, severe cases may lead to permanent vision loss due to scarring.
Optometrist Jack Brenton, who played a pivotal role in Carrasco’s early diagnosis and treatment, wants everyone to remember how important it is to get your eyes checked regularly and talk to an optometrist if you notice any eye issues. Carrasco’s quick visit to the doctor made a big difference, showing that getting help fast can save your eyesight.
In conclusion, Steph Carrasco’s scary experience with a corneal ulcer caused by contact lens misuse is a compelling reminder of the critical need for proper eye care and hygiene, especially for contact lens wearers. Her story underscores the importance of regular eye check-ups and swift action when facing eye-related discomfort or issues. As Carrasco continues on her path to recovery, her ordeal is an essential lesson for us all: safeguarding our vision should always be a top priority.
