A routine swab test on glasses from a worker at Leightons Opticians has raised alarms about the potential health risks posed by our everyday spectacles. And it revealed the presence of harmful bacteria that could even prove lethal. The professional test pinpointed six distinct bacterial types, some of which are capable of causing significant health issues.
Detected were Escherichia coli (E.coli), Staphylococcus aureus, Clostridium perfringens, Bacillus cereus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Faecal streptococci. Leightons Opticians' therapeutic optometrist and Head of Clinical Services, Kiki Soteri, reflected on the alarming results, stating: "Real-world swab results are eye-opening.
While it's normal for some bacteria to be present on our glasses, the variety found on this pair of glasses demonstrates very clearly that people could be more proactive at cleaning eyewear. E. coli, pseudomonas and Staphylococcus aureus, in particular, can cause a range of health issues, including inflammation and infection allowed to proliferate near the eyes.
" The array of bacteria discovered on the spectacles includes Escherichia coli or E. coli known pathogens that, despite numerous harmless strains, can lead to severe food poisoning, urinary tract infections, and other illnesses if left unchecked. The bacterium proliferates rapidly in fresh faecal matter, making it a reliable indicator of faecal contamination.
The World Health Organisation ( WHO ) warns: "In most cases, the illness is self-limi.