OUTBREAK OF RARE CORNEA INFECTION

OUTBREAK OF WHAT?

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a very dangerous, but preventable disease. This outbreak occurred in South-East England. One can get this disease by getting water in contacts, or poor contact hygiene, but anyone can get it. This happened in that part of England because the tap water carried free-living amoeba, which inflamed the cornea. This disease is very drug-resistant, so hard to get rid of.

WHAT?

• This disease is called Acanthamoeba keratitis
• Can cause blindness
• Caused by amoeba (from tap water) invading cornea
• Preventable, but severe and long-lasting because this organism is very drug-resistant
• Tripled in number of cases since 2011.
• What does it look like?

Untitled Slide

WHO IS AFFECTED?

Contact wearers in South-East England are at a higher risk because the water there carries this amoeba, and they get direct contact to their corneas, but anyone can get it. People who have poor contact hygiene are at a high risk as well. Even showering or face washing with contacts can lead to this disease. 85% of cases are from contact wearers. Meaning that some don’t get this from contacts.

WHERE?

• This outbreak happened in South-East parts of England
• My sources are from CNN and Science News Daily

WHEN?

• This disease started increasing cases since 2003
• But only about two weeks ago there was a large increase
• Both of my articles were dated Fri, September 21, 2018

HOW?

• This problem is significant because over 25% need a cornea transplant (medical bills)
• This can be prevented by not rinsing contacts in tap water, and then putting them on your eyes.

WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT?

You should care because you or someone you know could get it. This is important because Acanthamoeba keratitis is a very painful infection that can result in loss of 75% of sight, or blindness.

I chose this article because my dad is an ophthalmologist. Also my friend’s dad had a cornea transplant last winter, so I wondered if he could have possibly had this. (Because it was so rare, he didn’t)

ANY QUESTIONS?

Irenie Ekkeshis was diagnosed with this disease in 2013, despite strict hygiene. Her treatment took three years because the treatment was unafective. She had to undergo several procedures. With her experience, Irenie strongly suggests that there should be a disclaimer on contact packages that anyone who uses them are at risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Do you think their should be a disclaimer on the label? Or is it more beneficial for the authorities to try to get rid of the Acanthamoeba in the water?

THANK YOU!