A 25-year-old woman had a terrifying experience when she discovered that her itchy eye was actually a corneal ulcer caused by her contact lenses. Steph Carrasco, a recruitment consultant from Wales, had to undergo emergency cornea transplant surgery to save her eye. Corneal ulcers are open sores on the layer of the eye that covers the iris and pupil. People who wear contact lenses are more susceptible to these ulcers if they don’t clean their lenses properly or leave them in for too long. Other risk factors include cold sores, shingles, chickenpox, the use of steroid eye drops, dry eyes, and eyelid disorders. Symptoms of corneal ulcers include redness, pain, swelling, discharge, and a white spot on the cornea. Carrasco’s optometrist quickly identified her ulcer and arranged for immediate treatment at a hospital. Despite receiving 72 eye drops a day to reduce the size of the ulcer, Carrasco ultimately needed surgery. Most corneal ulcers heal within two to three weeks with proper treatment, but in rare cases like Carrasco’s, a corneal transplant is necessary. Fortunately, her vision has improved after the surgery, and doctors expect her to make a full recovery by October. Carrasco expressed gratitude for her optometrist and the hospital’s medical team who provided crucial help during her ordeal. This incident serves as a reminder of the importance of proper contact lens hygiene and regular eye check-ups.