I am never wearing them in the shower or when I swim again!
Wearing contact lenses rather than glasses is the preferred option for many. While they come with an ongoing cost, people find them useful for day-to-day convenience and a range of activities.
I often used to wear my contacts in the shower. If I were showering in the morning now, I wouldn’t put them in until afterwards – that way I can scrub my face without worrying about rubbing a lens out. But for years, I showered in contacts, until I read one horror story.
I came across a story about a teen who started ‘going blind’ after a parasite entered her eye while showering – all because she showered while wearing contact lenses.
Grace Jamison shared her story on social media, having been diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis – a condition caused by microscopic amoebas that embed themselves in the cornea. She explained that acanthamoeba is typically found in water sources such as lakes, wells and even shower water, as well as dust and dirt.
In a chilling warning, Grace told people who wear contact lenses to take care of them properly and to never swim, sleep or shower with them in. She said: “How I got it was I showered with my contacts in.”
She urged others: “Please clean out your solution and change it every time you use your contacts. Don’t sleep in them, don’t swim in them, don’t shower in them,” she warned.
Now blind, she shares her story online to raise awareness. In a recent TikTok video in June 2026, she wrote: “Let this be your reminder to not take your sight for granted. I was never told you cannot 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.”
What are the signs and symptoms of acanthamoeba keratitis?
Specsavers explains: “Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare eye infection caused by bacteria in the cornea. It is commonly associated with contact lens wearers.”
They explain: “Contact lens wear can cause scrapes on the corneal surface (clear front surface of the eye), oxygen deprivation, and contamination due to poor hygiene. Not following contact lens care guidelines can increase the risk of acanthamoeba keratitis and other eye infections.”
The most common causes of getting this infection include:
- Improper storing and handling of your contacts
- Wearing contacts at night – if they’re not continuous wear lenses
- Wearing ill-fitting lenses that can scratch the corneal surface
- Using tap water to clean your lenses
- Swimming or showering with contacts
- History of scratched eyes (injuries make it easier for infectious organisms to enter the eye)
Symptoms of acanthamoeba keratitis are similar to symptoms of other eye infections and include:
- pain
- redness
- blurred vision
- light sensitivity
- a gritty sensation in the eye
- excessive watering.
The eye care experts warn: “If you notice any of these symptoms, you should stop wearing your contact lenses and get in touch with your GP/optometrist right away. This is especially important if you feel any severe pain, as this will be quick to set in.
“You should save your contact lenses and take them to your appointment if possible, as this could help identify what has caused the infection.”
How do you prevent acanthamoeba keratitis?
Contact lenses are generally safe when worn and cared for properly. Research suggests many cases of acanthamoeba keratitis are linked to risky habits: around 60% of wearers who develop it report irregular disinfection routines, and about 30% say they’ve gone swimming while wearing their lenses, according to Specsavers.
Here are some things you can do to reduce your risk and prevent acanthamoeba keratitis:
- Avoid tap water contamination of your contact lenses
- Do not swim or shower with your contacts
- Use only sterile contact lens solution to disinfect and store your lenses
- Change your storage case every month
- Use daily disposable contact lenses to minimise your risk of acanthamoeba infection
