Doctors Sew 47-Year-Old Emma Marsden's Eyelid Shut After Parasite Perforates Cornea
Updated
Updated · Zamin · Jul 18
Doctors Sew 47-Year-Old Emma Marsden's Eyelid Shut After Parasite Perforates Cornea
3 articles · Updated · Zamin · Jul 18
Summary
Four days after falling face-first into mud and water while wearing contact lenses, Emma Marsden developed intense pain that later became complete vision loss in her right eye.
Doctors said the key mistake was waiting until evening to remove the lenses, allowing Acanthamoeba—a parasite found in tap water, soil and dust—to infect and erode her cornea.
The infection grew so severe that surgeons sewed her eyelid shut after the cornea perforated, and she now needs eye drops every two hours plus weekly checkups.
A corneal transplant is expected but has been pushed back for years because of the infection, turning her case into a warning to keep contact lenses away from water.