It's been a bad few weeks for contact lenses in the national media following a rash of infection stories. There was better news this weekend when the Mail revealed that drinking contact lens solution saved the life of 18 year old Sam Woodhead the gap year student who decided to go for a yomp in the Australian outback.
The hapless youngster got lost in the bush and survived by drinking contact lens solution, the only liquid to hand. So what was his tipple of choice? A cheeky bottle of renu? Perhaps some Boots house or a Sauflon MPS? No, the poor lad had three months' worth of daily disposables on him ( looked like Focus Dailies from the newspaper) and he had to open them one at a time to get the fluid out.
Interestingly the forum discussion on one national newspaper's website didn't commend Woodhead on spelling out SOS with his clothes, remark on his parent's ability to mobilise local search teams or fund a rescue helicopter. The discussion didn't chastise the lad for venturing out on such a foolhardy mission. No, those posting seemed obessed with why he happened to have three months worth on contact lenses on him in the outback. Just as well he did really.