Swimmers who are also contact lens wearers may want to take a look at a recent study conducted by Dr. John Dart, from University College London’s Institute of Ophthalmology, citing risks for developing Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK). Due to the current outbreak of AK where incidences have tripled since 2011, although the disease is still considered rare, the study was aimed at identifying potential risk factors contributing to the onset of the disease.
According to the Mayo Clinic, AK involves an inflammation of the cornea and can be caused by an infection involving bacteria, viruses, fungi or parasites. Symptoms include eye redness, pain, discharge, difficulty opening lid, blurred or decreased vision. Per the study published in the British Journal of Ophthalmology on September 21st, 1 in every 4 people infected wind up losing some or all of their vision. Overall, 25 percent of those affected required corneal transplants to treat the disease or restore vision, the researchers said. (UPI)
Although the researchers found that the risk for developing AK is more than 3 times greater among people with poor contact lens hygiene, the study did find a link between AK and wearing contacts in swimming pools or hot tubs.
Dr. Jules Winokur of New York City said, “In clinical practice, we see cases of acanthamoeba on a regular basis. Most often, these cases present in patients wearing contact lenses who have been exposed to contaminated water, which could be from swimming pools, water parks or even showers at home.” Dr. Winokur was not involved in the study. (UPI)
“People who wear reusable contact lenses need to make sure they thoroughly wash and dry their hands before handling contact lenses, and avoid wearing them while swimming, face washing or bathing,” the study’s Dr. Dart said.
“Daily disposable lenses, which eliminate the need for contact lens cases or solutions, may be safer and we are currently analyzing our data to establish the risk factors for these,” he added. (UPI)
Keratitis can be caused by all of the things you mention (citing the Mayo Clinic), plus trauma and more.
Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is caused by, well, Acanthamoeba. An eukaryote (an amoeba) common in the environment (including fresh water) that can cause serious infections resulting in blindness (and if you want real fun, do a little reading to see what happens if it gets to your brain).
prescription goggles work great and can be super cheap.
Sounds like pink eye to me.
Except 100 times worse and way more dangerous
I’m curious if studies are done with competitive swimmers or recreational swimmers?
I know I don’t get pool water in my eyes.
My optometrist got me to promise to wear dailies on days that I swim several years ago when I had to switch from hard to soft lenses. I already have enough issues related to my vision, so I decided to not push my luck.
I did get an eye infection a couple of years ago. I switched to daily contact lenses and have been fine since. I also don’t wear contacts while swimming.
Boy it would have helped understand the danger by citing some % of contact users affected. Does rare mean 1/10,000, 1/100,000, 1/10,000,000?? When they say cases have tripled does that mean 3 turned into 9, 30 turned into 90, 3,000 turned into 9,000???
Going to both links just re-states the context-less statistics given in the article.
Go back to those links, pay $37, and you can see all the statistics they have.
Click bait
If he had stopped at swimming pools then maybe it might be worth noting but, “While face washing or showering” 🙄
That must be like the reverse of winning the lottery but with the same odds.