For wearers of contact lenses ...

[ttfn]

I was listening to Jeremy Vine's programme today and heard 2 dreadful stories:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wr3p

1) (at 1.38.36) concerning someone who wore her lenses whilst in a swimming pool and contracted an amoeba infection which has resulted in the loss of sight in one eye (which may or may not yet be recovered).

2) (at 1.53.15) concerning a woman who suffered an extreme fungal infection which resulted in having her eye removed 3 weeks ago. Apparently, according to the Infectious Deseases team at Addenbrookes and the DNA team at the National Fungus team at Bristol, the fungus was within the one day disposable lens which had been manufactured in Singapore and is sold by the UK's 2nd largest supplier.

I am not into scaremongering, at all, but it would seem prudent to check out the programme and links and look on the reverse side of boxes of such lenses as the country of origin is shown.

[chattykathy]

I been swimming tonight and I've just taken out my lenses very quickly!!! Yikes!!Better check out the manufacturer. Thanks ttfn :-)

[ttfn]

The message in the programme was that prescription goggles are the ideal answer for swimmers - about £70?

The amoeba mentioned is present in all standing water, apparently.

[tillyh345]

i heard it and it frightened me enough that I wore my glasses today! Scary

[237SJ]

There are risks with everything. I`ve been wearing contact lenses for eons and never had a problem yet.

[sophie_1003]

I have contacts and never wear them for swimming, just swim blind! Although I do have some excellent prescription goggles that I got off the internet for around 15 quid. Will also check out manufacturer, thanks ttfn, would rather err on the side of caution after a bit of scaremongering than lose my sight!

[lcg]

how on earth are people meant to see when they are swimming then? all you need is a good pair of goggles to avoid any problems. mr kicker is blind as a bat so needs to wear his lenses in the pool! (he has goggles and was advised about this by his optician during his eye test) x