Plastic surgeons in Beijing, China, made a startling find while treating a woman for hemifacial atrophy—a condition that causes tissue shrinkage and facial asymmetry. During the procedure, they discovered five contact lenses lodged behind her left eyeball.
The 33-year-old patient, identified as Ms. A, had visited the Plastic Surgery Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences for treatment. Surgeons planned to inject autologous fat behind her left eye to restore symmetry. However, as they administered the fat graft, five contact lenses unexpectedly emerged.
How Did the Lenses Get Stuck?
Ms. A admitted to losing several lenses over the past few months but never imagined they had remained inside her eye. Doctors explained that due to the tissue shrinkage caused by hemifacial atrophy, a space had formed behind her eyeball, allowing the lenses to slip in unnoticed. The fat grafting procedure pushed them out of their hiding spot.
Surprisingly, Ms. A had not experienced significant discomfort or symptoms despite the presence of multiple lenses.
Health Risks and Medical Significance
Fortunately, the lenses did not cause any harm in this case. However, medical experts warned that undetected contact lenses could lead to corneal injuries or microbial infections over time.
The surgical team emphasized the importance of thorough eye examinations for individuals with hemifacial atrophy, particularly those who wear contact lenses. This case is believed to be the first recorded instance of multiple lenses being trapped within the conjunctiva, drawing interest from ophthalmologists and plastic surgeons worldwide.
This unusual incident serves as a reminder for contact lens users to handle them with care and seek medical attention if a lens is lost or any discomfort occurs.
