Doctors have made a shocking discovery recently, of several contact lenses hidden inside the eye of a woman.
These contact lenses were found in the woman's eye
Many medics were recently left astonished to discover that 27 contact lenses had buried themselves behind the eye of a woman who was due to have cataract surgery.
According to Optometry Today the pensioner, 67, was completely unaware that the lenses were missing and told surgeons she thought the discomfort was simply down to her old age.
Medics initially found 17 contact lenses - but then discovered a further 10 on a second inspection.
'None of us has ever seen this before,' Specialist trainee ophthalmologist, Rupal Morjaria, told Optometry Today.
'It was such a large mass. All the 17 contact lenses were stuck together.
'We were really surprised that the patient didn't notice it because it would cause quite a lot of irritation while it was sitting there.'
Specialist trainee ophthalmologist, Rupal Morjaria said: 'None of us had ever seen this before'
The woman had worn disposable contact lenses for the past 35 years but had not attended regular optometrist appointments.
Unfortunately for the pensioner her cataract operation had to be postponed following the surprising discovery.
Ms Morjaria emphasised that publishing the report was important for raising awareness among the general public.
Surprisingly, the patient had not reported any symptoms of the missing contact lenses.
The woman had worn disposable contact lenses
Because the lenses were behind the woman's eye for so long, it meant a large amount of bacteria had built up around her conjunctiva.
The case, which took place last November, was published in the British Medical Journal.
It had previously been thought not possible to retain so many contact lenses without more severe symptoms.