A very painful eye

Killinkere MudVenture

A very painful eyeFolks, there was a “MudRun” in Killinkere this weekend, it seemed to be a huge success (and my son won, he reckons the under 18 category!?) But correct us if we are wrong there – I am not sure – he did win, but perhaps a different class?

Please be aware than many of the bacteria found in soil are not known to mankind – we know mostly about bugs that we so far know cause infections – these are the ones which we can grow on Agar plates in Petri dishes, in a laboratory- it has been estimated that there are billions more about which we know nothing – we do not know how to cultivate them! Probably this is a good thing?

Mud runs must be great fun if you are sporty – my son had a great time! We are not suggesting that mud runs are not a great source of fun and exercise, but I made sure that Niall took a spare pair of contact lenses, to be replaced immediately after the event – something he had not thought about. There are various reports also about people becoming sick, with gastrointestinal infections following mud runs, after accidentally swallowing contaminated water- that is up to your GP and nothing to do with us!

We are not in any way suggesting to not partake is such an event, but please be aware that if you wear contact lenses, you should remove them after the run, and probably bin them. Tap water is not safe for contact lenses, so muddy water, with unknown microbial contaminants, plus the abrasive risk of soil and/or grit getting underneath the lens, cannot be safe. One of the most significant contact lens risks is an amoeba, called Acanthamoeba, which can cause a very serious (sight threatening) eye infection and is endemic to water and soil in many countries, including Ireland. We recommend that no-one should shower/ bathe/ hot tub or swim in contact lenses. Mud runs were not on our (my) RADAR until very recently. Official guidance, I do not know, but it will probably be that you should not mud run in contact lenses? (It will probably be that you should MudRun wearing “closely fitting and well sealed swimming goggles!”)

Anyone who is going to take part in next years MudVenture can call to McLeish Optometrists – but give us notice first- to get some free daily disposable contact lenses for the run, to be thrown away afterwards!!! Though if you already wear daily disposables, take a spare pair, Niall!

There are not too many conditions, but you MUST be an existing wearer of contact lenses, and we WILL need a copy of the up to date contact lens prescription before supplying you! If it is not in date, we cannot supply.

If you are a client of ours, then happy days, no problems, assuming you have an up to date prescription!! All contact lens prescriptions vary  – please give us enough advance notice to get them in for you! There are monthly lens wearers, and others, who may not be suitable for any type of daily disposable, but we will do  our best, to sort out something… Even if it is not perfect, it should hopefully get you through the run.

Someone once told me than when you get to 40, each year lasts six months, but at my age I think they were exaggerating! Honestly the mud run was here before I knew it, but we will be more prepared next year!

Although this page references the Daily Mail, there are hundreds online with the same story, I am just too old to get it to you on time. Maybe next year??

I understand that the poor unfortunate lady in the article doesn’t even wear contacts!?


Brittany Williams of Dallas, Texas competed in a mud run two weeks ago, and woke up the day after to see the whole room was white, learning soon after that she was blind from flesh-eating bacteria.

Source: Brittany Williams left BLIND after catching flesh-eating bacteria on mud run | Daily Mail Online

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