When New York ophthalmologist Dr. Ashley Brissette talks about eye safety, people tend to listen.
She works with professional athletes and consults with major beauty brands on how to keep eye-area products gentle and irritation-free.
Her work includes reviewing formulas, monitoring how they perform on test panels and advising companies on safety standards for people with sensitive eyes or contact lenses.
During a recent interview, she explained that makeup habits, like sleeping in mascara or relying on lash extensions year-round, can irritate the surface of the eye.
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But those warnings weren’t what surprised her audience the most.
The everyday habit most people never question
Asked to name the single most common mistake contact-lens wearers make, Dr. Brissette didn’t hesitate: showering with lenses in.
For many people, stepping into the shower with contacts is routine. But she says the combination of water and lenses can create a vulnerable environment for the cornea.
Unlike sterile lens solution, tap water can carry tiny organisms that normally pose little risk but become problematic when trapped beneath a contact lens.
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How water becomes a serious threat to your eyes
According to Dr. Brissette, when shower water reaches the eye, microorganisms can cling to the lens surface and settle between the lens and the cornea.
In rare cases, this can lead to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a severe infection known for causing intense pain, scarring and, in the most serious situations, lasting vision damage.
Treatment can take months, and some patients ultimately require a corneal transplant.
Her advice is simple. Remove your lenses before you turn on the shower, even if it means a few minutes of blurry vision.
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Shower filters don’t solve the issue, and the same caution applies when swimming in lakes or natural water.
Sources: Real Simple.
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