Doctor issues major warning to anyone who wears contact lenses that could have major consequences

Most of us who wear glasses will be used to reaching for their contact lenses during moments when wearing specs just isn't convenient.

Once you get used to the idea of poking something in your eye, wearing a mini magnifying glass over each pupil sounds infinitely better than having a pair of glasses perched onto your nose, right?

However we regret to inform you that wearing contact lenses in certain situations could cause serious damage to your eyes - with one doctor pointing out the dangerous side effect on social media as he branded it 'one of the worst things you can get in your eye'.

Taking to TikTok, Dr. Joe, M.D made a grim video showing what can happen to your eyes if you wear your lenses in certain situations.

Sharing a series of images of a woman whose eye is bright red and swollen with a white dot in the centre, Dr. Joe explained this was due to a severe eye infection called acanthamoeba keratitis.

What is Acanthamoeba Keratitis?

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious eye condition which is caused by microscopic organism known as scanthamoeba.

The parasite is commonly found in water which hasn't been 'distilled or boiled' (which can be anything from lakes to tap water) and causes infection when a contact lens comes into contact with the water.

The condition can lead to devastating side effects such as severe pain and vision loss.

Research from Moorfield Eye Hospital states that while acanthamoeba doesn't generally cause harm to humans, it can cause a serious infection should they be exposed to the cornea.

Symptoms often start with an itching sensation in the eye before developing into eye pain, redness and blurred vision.

When should you avoid wearing contact lenses?

Dr. Joe urges viewers not to get in the shower, go swimming or use a hot tub with their contacts in.

"PSA if you wear contacts never shower, swim or hot tub with them in," he began.

The doctor then went on to explain that the woman in the photos behind him had started with a 'scratchy' eye that led to severe pain and blindness. She was later diagnosed with the infection, which Dr. Joe referred to as 'one of the worst things you can get in your eye'.

Explaining why it's 'crucial' to never expose your eyes to such a parasite, he continued: "This tiny organism can latch on to the micro fissures [tears] in your eye caused by the contacts and burrow into your cornea.

"The treatment is intense and the recovery process is often long and painful."

However viewers were left frustrated with Dr. Joe's post, with many pointing out that they specifically use contact lens in these situations.

"We get contacts so we can see while swimming and showering," one person wrote, while a second added: "I can't see without my glasses or contacts."

"How in the world will I be able to see during open water swims. I'm blind without them," a third commented.