Woman, 23, fights parasitic eye infection after swimming in contacts

Contact lenses and water don’t mix

A trip to the beach has turned Brooklyn McCasland’s life upside down after she contracted a vision-threatening eye infection while swimming in her contact lenses.

It happens when a parasite that can be found in water invades the eye, damaging the cornea, causing severe pain and potentially leading to blindness. The condition, called Acanthamoeba keratitis, is rare in the U.S., but when it does strike, it most often affects contact-lens wearers.

McCasland, 23, who has lost vision in her right eye and is waiting for a corneal transplant, must now spend her days in a dark room because of the extreme eye pain and light sensitivity. She says she wants to spread awareness about the rare eye infection.

What is Acanthamoeba keratitis?

Acanthamoeba are single-celled organisms that can be found in pools, hot tubs, tap water and shower water, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

They can invade the eye through a minor abrasion in the cornea and infect it, causing severe pain, inflammation and even blindness, the CDC notes.

‘Feels like there’s glass in your eye’

Her eye doctor finally sent her to a cornea specialist, who quickly suspected Acanthamoeba keratitis. Confirmation required scraping cells off her eye with a metal tool.

Treatment involved inserting chlorhexidine and Brolene antimicrobial eye drops into her eyes every 30 minutes day and night, and then from 6 a.m. to midnight. She may go down to four times a day soon.

She’s also taking Impavido, an anti-parasitic drug, three times a day.

How to avoid the infection:

• Don’t swim, shower or use hot tubs while wearing contact lenses.
• If water touches contact lenses for any reason, take them out as soon as possible. Throw them away, or clean and disinfect them overnight before wearing them again.
• Don’t use tap water to store or disinfect contacts.

Conclusion

McCasland’s story is a stark reminder of the importance of following proper contact lens care and hygiene guidelines. By taking simple precautions, contact lens wearers can significantly reduce their risk of contracting Acanthamoeba keratitis. As McCasland continues to recover from her ordeal, she hopes to raise awareness about this rare and debilitating condition.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is Acanthamoeba keratitis?
A: Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare eye infection caused by a parasite that can be found in water. It can invade the eye through a minor abrasion in the cornea and infect it, causing severe pain, inflammation and even blindness.

Q: Who is most at risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis?
A: Contact lens wearers are most at risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis. The infection is rare in the U.S., but when it does strike, it most often affects contact lens wearers.

Q: How can I prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis?
A: To prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis, avoid swimming, showering or using hot tubs while wearing contact lenses. If water touches your contact lenses for any reason, take them out as soon as possible and clean and disinfect them overnight before wearing them again. Do not use tap water to store or disinfect contacts.