This eye infection can cause blindness in contact lens wearers

What should contact lens wearers pay attention to to avoid dangerous infection?

Researchers have now discovered that wearers of contact lenses are at risk of developing painful cysts through infection that can eventually lead to blindness.

The researchers from the University of New South Wales and Moorfields Eye Hospital found in their recent research that contact lens wearers are particularly at risk from an outbreak of Acanthamoeba keratitis. This disease can lead to blindness of those affected. The physicians published the results of their research in the English-language journal "British Journal of Ophthalmology".

Certain amoeba infection can be more common in lens wearers, leading to severe pain, cysts, and blindness. (Image: Pavel Chernobrivets / fotolia.com)

What is Acanthamoeba keratitis??

Ophthalmologists have recently reported onset of Acanthamoeba keratitis in contact lens wearers. To avoid this disorder, contact lens wearers should change their daily routine, experts suggest. Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare infection caused by the action of Acanthamoeba, a microorganism that can survive between the contact lens and the eye and form painful cysts there.

Acanthamoeba cases lead to vision loss and blindness

In about a quarter of cases of Acanthamoeba, patients lose up to 25 percent of their vision or become completely blind due to the infection, explains study author Drs. John Dart from Moorfields Eye Hospital in the UK. Even the best forms of treatment available in just 70 percent of cases lead to healing within 12 months. Acanthamoeba keratitis is one of the worst eye diseases people can get sick with, say the doctors. The condition is very painful and can lead to blindness in some severe cases.

Number of sufferers has doubled in a few years

The data collected in the new study shows that the number of patients with this infection at Moorfields Eye Hospital has almost doubled in recent years. There were 36 reported cases in 2011, compared to 65 in 2013. Experts also noticed this increase in other practices and clinics.

Where do the amoebas come from??

In England, the triggering amoebas tend to thrive in water tanks, whirlpools and swimming pools - basically wherever a biofilm can adhere to a hard-to-reach pipe section, the experts explain. By showering these amoebas can then be transferred to humans. To avoid contaminating contact lenses, avoid washing your face, or at least dry your hands off before you handle your contact lenses. Darts. Do not shower or swim with contact lenses and do not use contact lenses in a hot tub, advises the expert.

Achieve a disinfection with solutions for contact lenses?

Dr. Dart also does not believe that contact lens disinfectant solutions can stop the spread of the infection. Although most solutions contain an effective ingredient against Acanthamoeba called polyhexanide (PHMB), there are some bacteria and amoebae that survive PHMB disinfection. These disinfectants are not means of sterilization. In a contact lens container, bacteria can build up into a layer of mucus and one or two amoebas could survive in the disinfectant solutions if the container is old or dirty. In general, contact with water should be avoided or users of contact lenses should change to daily disposable lenses, advise the doctors. These, even if infected, would be disposed of so quickly that the amoeba does not have time to settle. (As)