Tori Spelling should know better than to leave her contact lenses in when going to bed.
Actually, she does know better. She admitted as much this week when explaining why she was spotted recently sporting a bedazzled pink eye patch.
“It’s my fault. I did this to myself,” said Spelling, 49, in the most recent episode of the 9021OMG podcast. “I have contacts but I wear daily ones. So at the end of the day, kids, whatever, I can make all the excuses I want. I don’t take them out. I sleep in them. It’s not healthy, and you’re supposed to change them.”
As cool as eye patches are, Spelling’s reason for wearing one simply isn’t. She developed a corneal ulcer in her left eye due to poor (read: terrible, horrible, absolutely no good) contact lens care. Apparently, she’s been known to go weeks wearing her daily use contacts. (Not to mention her admitted behavior of sleeping in them!) Her eye doctor also has admonished her in the past for poor contact lens care.
Spelling said her doctor told her she was “lucky to get away with it.”
As every good eyecare professional knows, a corneal ulcer, also referred to as keratitis, is a serious condition that can result in severe pain and soreness in the eye, among a list of symptoms. Contact lens wearers are particularly susceptible to developing an ulcer.
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From the American Optometric Association:
“Wearing contact lenses increases the risk of developing infectious and noninfectious keratitis, especially if slept in them. Do not wear contact lenses longer than recommended by a Doctor of Optometry. Follow the cleaning regimen and do not wear contact lenses while swimming, as the chemicals and microbes in the water can cause keratitis.”
The actress seems to be taking the ordeal seriously. She’s been taking her prescribed bacterial eyedrops and plans to change to monthly contacts once her eye fully heals.
“Yes, I got lucky this time,” she said. “Not going to take it for granted.”
Even more encouraging, Spelling’s contact misuse has been a boon for spreading correct contact lens care practices. Her story was picked up by numerous national (and international) websites.
There’s nothing like a good cautionary tale to help promote healthy lifestyle choices!
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