Contact lens wearers have a rare infection causing blindness

Contact lens wearers are advised to better protect their eyes after an outbreak of a rare infection that can lead to blindness.

Researchers from University College London (UCL) and Moorfields Eye Hospital have reported a significant increase in cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis since 2011.

The infection, which causes painful inflammation of the cornea, the front of the eye, is preventable, but contact lens wearers are the most exposed.

The most severely affected patients had less than a quarter of their vision or became completely blind because of the disease.

According to a British Journal of Opthalmology study, eight to ten cases per year were recorded at the hospital between 200 and 2003.

The total number increased to 35-65 cases per year between 2011 and 2016, almost triple the rate of Acanthamoeba keratitis, which was previously 2.5 cases per 100 000 lens wearers.

Lead author Professor John Dart of UCL's ophthalmology institute and Moorfields Ophthalmology Hospital said, "This increase in the number of cases underlines the need for contact lens users

The researchers said that reusable contact lens wearers with an eye infection are more likely to have used an ineffective contact lens solution, contaminated their lenses with water or reported poor habits d & # 39; hygiene.

Showering, swimming and using hot tubs while wearing contact lenses was also a risk factor.

Professor Dart said, "People who wear reusable contact lenses should make sure that they wash and wash their hands thoroughly before handling contact lenses and avoid wearing them while swimming. face or bathing.

"Daily disposable lenses, which eliminate the need to wear contact lens cases or solutions, may be safer and we are currently analyzing our data to determine the risk factors for these lenses."