Risk of blindness due to contact lenses

Scientists warn people who use contact lenses may be blinded if they get a parasite commonly found in tap water.

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The Daily Mail quoted Fiona Henriquez, a researcher from the University of West Scotland, who said that Acanthamoeba parasites are potential enemies for contact lens users.

According to experts, this tiny single-celled parasite is often found in tap water, dust, sea and swimming pools. They can fatten themselves by eating the bacteria that exist in the eyes of dirty contact lenses.

Persons wearing contact lenses must always keep their glasses clean.

When parasitic contact lenses are attached to the human eye, Acanthamoeba begins to erode the cornea, the outer layer of the eyeball and proliferate. The consequences of Acanthamoeba's attack will be symptoms of itchy eyes, watery eyes, blurred vision, light sensitivity, upper eyelid swelling and eye pain.

Graeme Stevenson, an English ophthalmologist, said the eyesight of parasite-infected contact lenses could be permanently damaged in just a week. Mr. Stevenson said: 'If an infection enters the third layer of the eyeball, it will make your eyes look like a car windshield covered with frost'.

Statistics show that, although the number of cases wearing Acanthamoeba parasitic contact lenses is not much, the treatment process is long, painful and not completely effective. That means, some patients will be blind.

Acanthamoeba parasites are harmful to contact lenses' eyes. (Photo: Daily Mail)

Mr. Stevenson added that many cases of Acanthamoeba infection occur each year because people do not follow the advice of ophthalmologists when using contact lenses.

Advice to avoid infection is always to keep contact lenses and containers clean (you can use specialized solutions to wash) as well as regular glasses. Contact lenses association I recommend that people should not wear contact lenses when swimming, unless you have extra swimming goggles. And if you still wear contact lenses when taking a shower, close your eyes tightly.