Acanthamoeba eye infections in contact lenswearers are rare but serious, and they often start because of improper lens handling and poor hygiene.To avoid Acanthamoeba keratitis, contact lens wearers should follow lens wearing and cleaning instructions from both manufacturers and eye doctors very closely. Proper contact lens care greatly reduces the risk of all contact lens-related eye infections, including those caused by Acanthamoeba.Prevention is always the best approach, because Acanthamoeba keratitis can be extremely difficult to treat; in fact, sometimes these infections require a corneal transplant, which is a serious surgical procedure. What Are Acanthamoeba? Acanthamoeba are naturally occurring amoeba (tiny, one-celled animals) commonly found in water sources, such as tap water, well water, hot tubs, and soil and sewage systems.If these tiny parasites infect the eye, Acanthamoeba keratitis results. The condition was first diagnosed in 1973, with about 90 percent of cases involving contact lens wearers.
Posted on: Fri, 20 Sep 2013 17:50:20 +0000
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