Acanthamoeba keratitis occurs most commonly in individuals who use contact lenses. It is a serious eye infection. This keratitis are small parasites that are found sometimes in tap water, well water, hot tubs, contaminated soil and sewage systems. Medical treatment for keratitis may delay because there symptoms are often mistaken for other eye conditions.
Causes of Acanthamoeba keratitis
- This infection may occur due to wearing contacts without cleaning properly or if they are washed with well water or contaminated tap water.
- Wearing contacts in a swimming pool, hot tub or the shower may also cause this infection.
- Another cause may be storage of lenses in a unclean contact lens case.
Physical Eye Symptoms
- Symptoms may be red and inflamed eye.
- Also, people with this infection will usually experience eye pain.
- The eyes may show excessive watering.
- An individual may feel some foreign particle is in his/her eye which is causing irritation.
- The cornea may show a ring shaped ulceration around it, as this condition progresses.
Vision Symptoms
- Acanthamoeba keratitis may result in blurry vision.
- It may also cause the eyes to become sensitive to light.
- Loss of some vision may occur in most of the cases. Corneal transplant may help to restore the lost vision.
Treatment
- Initially, this infection is treated with antibiotics as it can often be mistaken for other eye conditions. However, this keratitis is antibiotic resistant.
- It can be often treated by using medications such as imidazoles, antiseptics, diamidines and aminoglycosides.
- Treating this disease effectively is very difficult. If this infection is in severe stage, there may be a need for corneal transplant.
Prevention
- Avoid wearing contacts while swimming or taking showers.
- Use contact lens solution in order to clean the lenses daily and also replace contact lens case every month.
- To avoid permanent damage to the eye, consult a doctor immediately if you get infection.
