Plastic surgeons in China found the lenses during a procedure to treat facial asymmetry.
A team of plastic surgeons in Beijing, China, made a surprising discovery when they found five contact lenses lodged behind a woman’s left eyeball. The 33-year-old patient, identified only as Ms A, had visited the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences for treatment of hemifacial atrophy, a condition that causes tissue shrinkage and facial asymmetry.
During the procedure, the doctors planned to inject autologous fat into the hollow space behind her left eye to restore symmetry. However, as they administered the fat graft, five contact lenses unexpectedly emerged from behind the eyeball. Ms. A revealed that she had lost several lenses over the past few months but never suspected they had remained stuck in her eye.
How did the contact lenses get stuck?
Doctors explained that hemifacial atrophy had caused the fatty tissue behind Ms. A’s eye to shrink, creating enough space for the lenses to slip behind the eyeball. When the fat graft was injected, it pushed the lenses out of their hiding spot. Surprisingly, Ms. A had not experienced any noticeable discomfort or symptoms despite the presence of multiple lenses.
Potential health risks and medical significance
Fortunately, the contact lenses did not cause any harm in Ms. A’s case. However, doctors warned that if left undetected for an extended period, the lenses could have led to corneal injuries or microbial infections.
The medical team emphasized the importance of thorough eye examinations for patients with hemifacial atrophy, especially those who wear contact lenses. This case is reportedly the first documented instance where multiple lenses were found hidden within the conjunctiva, sparking interest among ophthalmologists and plastic surgeons worldwide.
This unusual discovery highlights the need for both patients and healthcare professionals to be vigilant when using contact lenses, ensuring proper handling and seeking medical attention if lenses are lost or discomfort occurs.
