Acanthamoeba Keratitis- Causes and Symptoms

An eye is the most important part of human body. Proper eye care and eye wear becomes all the more essential in every phase of life to see clearly and prevent future eye problems. Vision problem can develop at an early age from young child to an adult. But today almost every eyesight condition can be cured using contact lenses. There has been tremendous advancement in spectacle lens technology and surgical techniques like laser refractive surgery. Contact lenses have various advantages and are the most effective method for vision correction. With the advent of new manufacturing technologies the contact lenses are more affordable than before. According to CDC (centres for disease control and prevention) report more than 30 million people in America use contact lenses in which two third of contact lens users are female. The average age of people wearing contact lens worldwide is 31 years old. Ten percent of these people lie under the age of 18 years, 15% are between 18-24, 50% between 24-44 and 25% are 45 years old or more.

·        Contact lens provides natural all round vision

·        Contact lens are good while playing sports and leisure activities

·    Contact lenses are easy and very convenient to use and its proper handling is utmost important to prevent eye infections

Acanthamoeba is an eye infection which can be found in contact lens wearers and becomes serious if start from poor hygiene and improper lens handling. In order to prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis, always follow the lens wearing instructions. Proper use of lens prevents all types of eye infections including those caused by acanthamoeba. Sometimes Acanthamoeba keratitis is difficult to treat and require corneal transplant which is a surgical procedure.

What is acanthameba keratitis?

Acanthamoeba is a rare but sometimes become serious infection of the eye. It can also result in permanent visual impairment or loss of vision. These are naturally occurring amoeba or tiny celled organisms which are mostly found in nature, soil, air and water sources like taps, wells, hot tubs and sewage systems. When these tiny particles infect our eye we get acanthamoeba keratitis infection. In 1973 the condition was first diagnosed in which 90% cases involved contact lens users. Acanthamoeba cause acanthamoeba keratitis which infect the transparent outer covering of eye known as cornea.

Some facts about Keratitis

·        Keratitis is a medical term used for inflammation of the cornea

·        To diagnose keratitis, slit lamp can be used

·        Permanent damage to the eye can be avoided on time if keratitis is treated correctly

·        Keratitis is caused by infection, dry eyes and physical or chemical injuries

There are some signs and symptoms which depict the serious eye infection of acanthamoeba keratitis.

Symptoms of acanthamoeba keratitis

The symptoms of acanthamoeba keratitis are very much similar to other eye infections. Common symptoms include:

·        Pain in eyes

·        Eye redness

·        Blurred vision

·        Sensitivity to light

·        Excessive tears from the eye

·        Difficult to open eye lid due to pain and irritation

·        Sensation of something in the eye

·        Decreased vision

These symptoms may last for several weeks or months. One must consult an eye care specialist if get any of the symptom. It is sometimes even difficult for a doctor to diagnose acanthamoeba because of its similar pink eye and other eye infection symptoms. Rings like ulceration or corneal tissues also sometimes occur. If the condition not treated promptly permanent loss of vision may occur.

How is Acanthamoeba keratitis caused?

·        One of the biggest factors enhancing the risk of contracting Acanthamoeba Keratitis is using contaminated tap or well water on the contact lenses and making use of homemade solutions to store and clean contacts. Also one should avoid wearing contact lens in a hot tub or while swimming or showering.

·        Wearing a dirty lens is another cause of Acanthamoeba keratitis. In fact the US Environmental Agency regulations tried to reduce cancer causing products or disinfectants in water supply which boosts microbial risks and getting acnthamoeba infection in water supplies.

·        Injury is another cause of keratitis infection. If any object scratch or hit the surface of cornea keratitis can be caused without any infection. Any type of injury may allow bacteria or fungi to enter cornea through damaged surface causing infection of an eye.

These are some of the causes of acanthamoeba keratitis. But acanthamoeba can be killed when the surface of lens is rubbed during its cleaning. Virus herpes and virus causing chlamydia can also result in keratitis. One must maintain good contact lens hygiene to prevent acanthamoeba keratitis.

Acanthamoeba keratitis treatment

An early diagnosis may help to treat acanthamoeba keratitis. The infection is diagnosed best by eye care specialist based on the symptoms. The growth of the amoeba is seen by the process named confocal microscopy. GAE (granulomatous amoebic encephalitis) and disseminated infection are most difficult to diagnose and are diagnosed in advanced stages. The first step in diagnosing acanthamoeba keratitis is to keep a suspicion on contact lens wearer that why herpes simplex virus keratitis is not responding to the therapy. The infection could be difficult to treat due to flexibility of cyst form. Topical cationic antiseptic agent like polyhexamethylene biguanide(0.02%) or chlorhexidine(0.02%) with or without diamidine like propamidine(0.1%) or hexamidine(0.1%) can be used as part of current treatment. Topical cyclopegic solutions and some oral nonstreoidal medicines can also be taken for controlling pain.

Acanthamoeba keratitis can become a severe infection if not prevented on time. In order to avoid permanent eye damage, one must follow some remedies for acanthamoeba keratitis.

How to prevent acanthamoeba keratitis?

Here are some of the tips which could be followed to prevent any type of eye infections:

·        Do visit your eye care specialist once in a month and get eye examined.

·        Always wear that contact lens which is advised by your specialist and replace the contacts timely according to the schedule provided.

·        Avoid wearing lenses during showering or swimming and wash hands properly with soap or dettol before using or handling contact lenses. In case you wish to swim then try to wear tight goggles to avoid any sort of eye infection.

·        Do not clean contact lenses with tap water. FDA recommended not exposing contact lenses with any kind of water.

·        Always read the instructions to use contact lens. Use fresh cleaning or disinfecting solution and avoid using old solution to clean or store them.

·        Always clean, rub and rinse the lens the time you remove it as this will help in removing harmful microbes and residues affecting eyes.

·        Make sure you store your lens in a proper storage case and change it after every three months. Also the case should be rubbed and rinsed with proper sterile contact lens solution.

In case of any confusion regarding use of solution, always consult your eye care provider. Having any symptom like eye pain, redness, sensitivity to light or excessive tearing should not be ignored as this may turn into a serious eye problem if not cured on time. People who have dry eyes often do not produce tears to keep eyes moist and this creates problem when they wear contact lens. They struggle during their job hours. They should avoid cheap contacts and switch to some better lenses which are specifically designed for dry eyes and are moist, soft and flexible.

Prevent an eye infection

An eye is the most sensitive part of our body, a little carelessness in eye care could lead to permanent vision loss or blindness. Acanthamoeba keratitis is an eye infection which could be caused due to improper lens handling. Contact lenses are a substitute for glasses. These days a wide variety of cheap contacts are coming in market designed to be used for a day and then disposed off. But people having dry eyes must wear best contact lens recommended by their eye specialist to prevent any kind of eye infection. Try to be little conscious in terms of an eye and always read manufacturer’s instructions to avoid future eye problems.