Poor shower habits could increase millions of Brits' risk of going blind

Having a shower is something that most people do regularly. You probably do not pay much attention to this routine, but there are certain things you shouldn’t be doing when you’re in the shower as they could put you at risk of a serious eye condition known as Acanthamoeba keratitis. This risk is heightened by wearing contact lenses when you shower.

Acanthamoeba keratitis

This is a painful and serious eye condition that affects the cornea of the eye. According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC),

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious infection of the eye that can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness. This infection is caused by a microscopic, free-living ameba (single-celled living organism) called Acanthamoeba.

The amebas that cause this condition are naturally occurring and can be found in water bodies such as lakes and oceans as well as tap water, sewer systems, pools, saunas and hot tubs. An optician at Feel Good Contacts, Tina Patel told Express in an exclusive interview, your risk of getting this condition is increased when contaminated water comes into contact with the eye.

Wearing lenses in the shower

Acanthamoeba is a rare condition but when it strikes, can be very painful and dangerous. Patel warns that this condition is more common among people who use contact lenses, thus the warning to not wear the visual aids in the shower. Apart from this, other practices could make you more susceptible to getting the disease when you wear contact lenses. According to the CDC, these practices include:

• Storing and handling lenses improperly
• Improper disinfection of lenses (such as using tap water or homemade solutions to clean the lenses)
• Swimming or using a hot tub while wearing the lenses
• Having a history of trauma to the cornea

Patel warns:

It can have severe complications for sufferers, resulting in visual impairments or permanent vision loss. In severe cases a corneal transplant may be necessary.

Sources used:

Centres for Disease Control and Prevention: Acanthamoeba Keratitis FAQs

Express: Bad shower practices can cause 'permanent vision loss' - millions of Britons at risk