John is an American farmer who owns a large plot of land with a vibrant vegetable garden, a blooming orchard, and his comfortable home. John keeps hens in a coop next to his house, some of which he uses for his own purposes and some of which he sells. Over the years, this arrangement has worked well for him, increasing the productivity and self-sufficiency of his farm.
Occasionally, John is used to discovering eggs strewn all over his property, particularly in the vicinity of the greenhouse where his hens enjoy running amok. Since his free-range hens behaved in this manner normally, there was never any reason to be concerned. But one morning, John noticed something strange that caught his attention.
John found a group of perfectly black eggs next to the chicken coop. He had never seen anything like this before. John was surprised at first by the striking black hue of the eggs, but his curiosity overcame him. He was intrigued by these unusual eggs and chose to incubate them in a warm, dark corner of his barn, just like he would any ordinary chicken egg.
The eggs started to hatch after several days of patient waiting, exposing their even more amazing contents. The chicks that emerged astounded John since they were entirely black, down to their beaks and feathers. John was excited to learn more about these unusual birds because he had never expected to see this sight.
The chicks turned out to be Ayam Cemani, a rare species distinguished by their remarkable all-black look. Their interior organs and bones are also included in this distinctive feature, which goes beyond appearances. John found out that his affluent neighbor, who specialized in uncommon breeds, was the breeder of these unusual chickens. It seemed as though one of his neighbor’s hens had inadvertently strayed into John’s land and lay eggs.
For John, the discovery of the Ayam Cemani chickens was a thrilling experience that brought a sense of mystery and variety to his farming life. In addition to introducing him to a new breed, this event deepened his relationship with his neighbor and sparked conversations about possible future partnerships. Though surprises were nothing new to John’s farm, the emergence of these black chicks was a wonderful exception that brought to mind the never-ending wonders of the natural world.
A Common Nighttime Habit Cost Him His Sight
A 39-year-old man named Groeschen woke up one morning with an irritated eye. Initially suspecting allergies, he didn’t think much of it. However, as the discomfort worsened over the next few days, he decided to seek medical help.
At the Cincinnati Eye Institute, Groeschen received alarming news. He had contracted a bacterial infection caused by Pseudomonas. Doctors determined the likely culprit: sleeping in his contact lenses. This habit allowed the bacteria to thrive under the lenses, leading to a serious infection.
Despite being treated with antibiotics that eradicated the bacteria, the damage was already done. Groeschen developed a corneal ulcer, and the resulting scar tissue left him partially blind in the affected eye.
“It’s like trying to see through frosted glass,” doctors explained. “The infection eroded part of the cornea, and the scarring significantly impairs vision, even after the infection clears.”
To restore his sight, Groeschen will require a corneal transplant, a procedure with a lengthy recovery time of about a year.
As the owner of a design and restoration company, the vision loss made it challenging for him to keep up with his work. Reflecting on his experience, Groeschen pointed out that his contact lenses were labeled as safe for overnight wear, but he believes this advice should be reconsidered.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology has long warned about the dangers of wearing any type of contact lenses overnight, stating that it significantly increases the risk of eye infections.
Dr. William Faulkner, who treated Groeschen, emphasized, “The safest approach for eye health is to avoid sleeping in contact lenses altogether. Daily-wear disposable lenses are the best option for reducing risks.”
Other risky behaviors among contact lens users include using old lens cases for too long and failing to completely replace the cleaning solution after each use.
This story serves as an important reminder: seemingly harmless habits, like sleeping in contact lenses, can have serious consequences.
Please share this article to raise awareness and help others avoid similar risks.
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