Woman makes big but common summer mistake while wearing contacts. Then her pupil disappears

Showering is a harmless routine daily routine. Most of us don’t give any thought to potential danger. However, can it actually be risky for those who wear contacts?

TikTok creator Grace Jamison (@gracejamisonn) shares how this innocous activity ended up costing her vision.

What Happens When You Shower with Contacts?

“Do not wear contacts in any type of water,” she warns in the text overlay. For seven seconds, she unveils the results through different angles. Her sclera is red and irritated, as her blue iris remains cloudy, with her pupil barely noticeable. 

Then, the content creator elaborates more in the caption of it all started.

“Let this be your reminder to not take your sight for granted. I was never told you can not wear contact lenses in the shower. Because of this, I am now blind and living with excruciating pain every day,” Jamison explains. “Please learn from my mistake so this will never happen to you! Just because it hasn’t happened to you yet does not mean it won’t. Take care and God bless you all.”

According to her previous and latest videos, Jamison went blind a year ago at 19 years old and was diagnosed with Acanthamoeba Keratitis. Through treatment and steroid eye drops, her left eye’s vision has been restored. Although the scratches in her right eye have healed, her condition has not improved.

How Did Viewers React?

Jamison’s video amassed 8.6 million views, and this warning was new information to many lifelong contact wearers, striking fear into them.

“Been wearing contacts for 15 years and no one has ever told me this,” one viewer commented.

“Not one optometrist has ever mentioned this. 35 yrs old been wearing contacts since elementary on and off,” another shared.

“Wait, wait, wait – showering?! I’m 41 and have worn contacts for the past 30 years. Nobody has ever mentioned this!!!” a third echoed.

As a result, others vowed to break this habit.

“Okay I’m definitely going to stop showering in my contacts now,” one commenter stated.

“Saw this as I was about to get in the shower with contacts thank you,” a second revealed.

How Can You Catch Acanthamoeba Keratitis?

This is a rare yet serious eye infection caused by a microscopic organism called an amoeba. Found in various ecosystems (primarily water), it can damage the eye and even cause permanent vision loss. In fact, 85% of people who contract this disease are contact wearers, per Clemson News. The main causes are improper contact lens care and, of course, water exposure, such as swimming and showering. 

Since most water isn’t exactly germ-free, it’s why those who wear contact lenses are more susceptible to catching these infections, including amoebae. When water touches the eyewear, the contacts absorb it to become more pliable, causing them to scratch the cornea and trap bacteria, according to the CDC. If this happens, remove the lenses and discard them, or clean them in the prescription solution immediately. In the meantime, the Cleveland Clinic lists the symptoms to monitor for:

• Eye pain
• Redness or irritation
• Cloudy or dirty corneas
• Blurred or cloudy vision
• Foreign body sensation
• Light sensitivity 

@gracejamisonn Let this be your reminder to not take your sight for granted. I was never told you can not wear contact lenses in the shower. Because of this, I am now blind and living with excruciating pain every day. Please learn from my mistake so this will never happen to you! Just because it hasn’t happened to you yet does not mean it won’t. Take care and God bless you all ???❤️ #eyes #blind #blindness #contactlenses #acanthamoeba ♬ Your Eyes Tell Stories – Bo Staloch

The Mary Sue reached out to Jamison via email and TikTok comment.

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