Acanthamoeba Keratitis: Information For Contact Lens Wearers
Taking good care of your prescription contact lenses includes proper cleaning and storage. Contact lens care also includes removing them before showering or swimming. If your lenses come in contact with unsterile water, you run the risk of being infected by Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK.)
Sources of Acanthamoeba
Acanthamoeba is a microbe that resides in tap water, freshwater, sea water, soil, and the air. These single-celled organisms can cause Acanthamoeba keratitis when a contact lens user rinses their lenses with tap water instead of sterile contact solution. Wearing contacts in pools, bodies of water, or hot tubs can also lead to Acanthamoeba exposure and AK infection.
Symptoms of Infection
Symptoms may not appear for weeks after contact lenses were contaminated by Acanthamoeba. The amoebas attach to cells of the surface of the cornea—the outermost layer of the eye— and spread inside the cornea, causing cell damage and inflammation. Signs of an infection include:
- Feeling like something is in your eye
- Eye redness
- Watery eyes, excessive tearing
- Eye pain
- Blurred vision
- Irritation that persists after removing lenses
Diagnosis
Fortunately, AK is treatable with early diagnosis. The eye doctor examines the eye and takes a careful history of the patient's contact lens hygiene habits and any recent exposure to possible contaminated water sources. The doctor may remove cells from the cornea for testing or use a laser to provide a view inside the cornea.
Treatment
After the optometrist confirms a diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis, the course of treatment often includes a topical medicine applied directly to the cornea to fight the infection. The doctor may also need to remove corneal tissue that was damaged by the amoebas. An oral antibiotic and anti-inflammatory medication may be necessary to treat the infection and eye pain.
Complications of AK
Left untreated, Acanthamoeba keratitis can result in loss of vision. Early diagnosis and treatment yield a better outcome with only slight vision loss. Advanced infection, where the microorganism has penetrated deep into the cornea, is more likely to cause significant vision loss. In some cases, untreated infection can cause cataracts or glaucoma.
Good Hygiene Habits
You can prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis by adhering to best practices for contact lens use and care.
- Rinse prescription contact lenses with only sterile contact cleaning solution.
- Do not use homemade contact solution.
- Do not reuse contact solution. Discard the solution in the case and replace with fresh solution for each use.
- Do not rinse contacts with tap water.
- Do not wear contacts when swimming, showering, bathing, or soaking in hot tubs.
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