Why You Shouldn't Shower In Your Contacts

Huffpost - Mar 20th, 2025

Rachel Prochnow, a Texas resident, shared her alarming experience of contracting a severe parasitic eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis, after showering with her contact lenses in. Her story, shared on Instagram, highlights the serious risks associated with this common yet hazardous habit. Prochnow endured months of pain and treatment, culminating in a cornea transplant, and aims to raise awareness about the dangers of combining water exposure with contact lens use. Eye health experts emphasize that while swimming with contacts is known to be risky, showering with them also poses significant dangers due to microorganisms in tap water.

This story underscores the importance of proper contact lens hygiene and the potential consequences of neglecting recommended practices. Experts advise removing contacts before any water exposure and using only sterile solutions for cleaning and storage. The incident serves as a cautionary tale for contact lens wearers worldwide, illustrating the severe implications of seemingly minor oversights in eye care. Prochnow's experience is a reminder that awareness and adherence to eye health guidelines are crucial in preventing serious infections and preserving vision.

Huff Post Acanthamoeba Keratitis Contact Lens Safety Rachel Prochnow Eye Health Parasitic Infection

Story submitted by Fairstory

RATING

8.2

Fair Story

Consider it well-founded

The article effectively raises awareness about the risks of showering with contact lenses, combining personal storytelling with expert advice to deliver a compelling narrative. It is well-researched and presents accurate information supported by credible sources. While it could benefit from additional context on the prevalence of such infections, the article is clear, engaging, and relevant to public health. It successfully informs readers about the potential dangers and encourages safer practices, making it a valuable resource for contact lens wearers.

Accuracy

The article accurately presents the risks associated with showering while wearing contact lenses. It cites specific microorganisms like Acanthamoeba and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which are known to cause severe eye infections, consistent with expert opinions and scientific literature. The story of Rachel Prochnow is used as a case study to illustrate these risks, although specific details about her medical condition would need independent verification. The article also accurately describes how water can alter the shape of soft contact lenses, which is supported by multiple sources. Overall, the factual claims are well-supported by expert opinions and align with established medical advice, though the personal anecdote could benefit from additional verification.

Balance

The article presents a balanced view by including multiple expert opinions on the risks of showering with contact lenses. It focuses primarily on the dangers, which is appropriate given the topic. However, it could have provided more context on how common these infections are and the statistical likelihood of occurrence to give readers a more comprehensive understanding. While the article does not appear to favor any particular viewpoint, it could have included perspectives from contact lens manufacturers or optometrists who might offer additional preventative measures or alternative viewpoints.

Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear, concise language to convey the risks of showering with contact lenses. It logically progresses from the personal anecdote to expert opinions, making it easy for readers to follow. The use of subheadings and direct quotes from experts helps to organize the information effectively. The tone is neutral and informative, making the content accessible to a general audience. Overall, the article is clear and easy to understand.

Source quality

The article relies on credible sources, including ophthalmologists and optometrists, who are well-qualified to discuss eye health and the risks associated with contact lens use. These experts are quoted directly, adding to the reliability of the information presented. The article does not appear to have conflicts of interest, as it focuses on expert advice rather than commercial interests. The use of multiple experts enhances the credibility and authority of the content.

Transparency

The article is transparent in its methodology, clearly explaining the basis for its claims through expert interviews and a personal anecdote. It discloses the potential risks associated with showering in contact lenses and provides practical advice for readers. However, it could improve transparency by providing more detailed information about the prevalence of such infections and the specific sources of the expert opinions. Overall, the article does a good job of explaining the reasons behind the claims it makes.