Claims contact lens caused woman's blindness

Jacqueline Stone is launching legal action after losing her eyeball which she claims was caused by wearing popular disposable contact lenses for just a day that she'd bought online.

After removing them she says her vision became blurry and was prescribed eye drops. Her condition continued to deteriorate and form a blister which eventually burst - splitting her eyeball. She says she could feel a bug eating through her eye.

Ms Stone was admitted to Broomfield Hospital near Chelmsford where she claims that doctors failed to diagnose a fungal infection which destroyed 3 layers of her eye and 70 nerves.She lost the use of the eye and it had to be removed. She also developed complications which led her to spend 17 weeks in hospital. She was eventually transferred to a specialist hospital where her condition was correctly diagnosed.

Jacqueline Stone is suing the hospital and the manufacturers of the lenses.

The hospital says it sympathises with her over the loss of her eye and has now investigated the circumstances. Alcon EyeCare UK Ltd who make the lenses also launched an investigation and say '' we have found no connection between the contact lens and this woman's unfortunate experience ''

Ms Stone has more than 20 operations and described the pain she endured as 'worse than giving birth'

To avoid contracting eye infections from the use of contact lenses here's some advice from the NHS:

• Daily disposable lenses require no cleaning or disinfection because the lenses are worn only once and thrown away. Don't re-use these lenses as they're unsuitable for repeated use. Even if you wear daily disposables, it's still important to have regular check-ups with your practitioner.

• Extended-wear lenses are specially designed for overnight wear, and can be worn continuously for up to a month before being discarded. Don't sleep while wearing lenses unless your practitioner advises it. They will also advise you on how to look after the lenses if you need to remove them temporarily. You may need more frequent check-ups if you wear this type of lens

Regardless of the type of contact lens you should always:

• wash, rinse and dry your hands thoroughly before handling your lenses

• have an up-to-date pair of spectacles to wear when you need to remove your lenses

• replace the lenses at intervals specified by your practitioner

• have regular check-ups with your practitioner

• seek professional advice if you're having problems with your contact lenses

Remember:

• Never go to bed with a painful red eye. Seek advice immediately

• Never bring your lenses into contact with tap water.

• Never wet your lenses with saliva

• Never wear your lenses while you're having a shower or going swimming (unless you use goggles)