15 September 2023 , 21:37
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A woman has shared how she nearly lost her eyesight after her contact lenses left her with an 'aggressive' eye infection.
Recruitment consultant Steph Carrasco, 25, went to the opticians with what she thought she was irritation from her regular lenses when she was told she had a terrifying growth on her eye. Her "quick thinking and thorough" optometrist Jack Brenton sent her straight to a specialist eye hospital, after recognising she had a corneal ulcer. Steph ended up needing a transplant operation for a new cornea to save her sight after spending a week in the hospital.
Steph hopes her vision will return in full by October, allowing her to go back to work (WALES NEWS SERVICE)Recalling her ordeal, Ms Carrasco said: "By the time I was admitted to hospital, I could barely see. It was terrifying. Thankfully, Jack and the team were outstanding. He made sure I didn’t leave the Specsavers store until he had arranged plans with the hospital and kept me reassured during an incredibly stressful time. He was quick thinking and thorough - I couldn’t be more grateful."
Steph, of Splott in Cardiff, spent a week in hospital as medical staff tried to reduce the size of the ulcer, a process which involved administering a whopping 72 eye drops a day. However the ulcer would not heal, and the medical staff had no choice but to perform a cornea transplant.
Three weeks on, her vision has improved, and it is hoped it will return in full by October – allowing her to go back to work. She said: "I was told by the medical staff at the hospital that the bacteria in my eye was so harsh that if it had been left any longer, I would have lost my eye completely."
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Speaking ahead of National Eye Health Week, which runs from 18 to 24 September, Steph said: "I think it’s crucial that anyone suffering eye pain visits their opticians right away. It’s easy to dismiss health concerns, but this has taught me to never take my vision for granted. I just feel incredibly lucky to have had Jack and the hospital’s medical team there to help when I needed them the most."
Optometrist Jack, who works at the Specsavers branch in Cardiff Queen Street, said: "This was a very aggressive bacteria that needed immediate treatment, so I’m pleased we got her into the hospital immediately so the infection did not advance any further.
"During National Eye Health Week, we are reminding everyone of the importance of having a sight test every two years at a minimum – and seeking advice from an optometrist immediately if you have concerns about your eyes or vision. Fortunately, Steph is already on the road to recovery and we hope her vision will be back to normal within a month, but her story is a case-in-point of why a rapid medical assessment is so crucial."