Swimming With Contacts Left This US Woman Blind – Don’t Skip These Safety Tips (Image Credits: iStock)
A young woman from the United States recently experienced a tragic vision loss after contracting a rare eye infection caused by a parasite, due to swimming while wearing contact lenses. Brooklyn McCasland, 23, was vacationing in Alabama with friends in August when she encountered the parasite Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a rare amoeba that can infect the cornea, potentially leading to severe vision impairment or blindness.
Following the infection, McCasland initially received treatment for what doctors suspected was a more common eye infection, and was prescribed steroids along with various other eye drops. "This infection mimics other common infections, so at the time I was put on steroids and a handful of other drops," she shared on her GoFundMe page, which she created to help cover medical expenses.
However, as the symptoms got severe, McCasland's condition worsened. She described experiencing "the most pain" she had ever felt, and ultimately went completely blind in her right eye. Desperate for answers, she sought care from multiple eye specialists, undergoing frequent visits every two days. Finally, test results confirmed she had Acanthamoeba keratitis. The delay in receiving an accurate diagnosis contributed to the infection’s progression, increasing the risk of permanent blindness or even losing the affected eye.
Due to the rarity of this infection, the specific eye drops required for treatment are not widely available and are only manufactured in the UK. Fortunately, a Dallas clinic was able to provide McCasland with a few samples, allowing her to start treatment without further delay. “I have to put drops in my eyes every 30 minutes because it is such a slow healing process,” she explained. Grateful that her condition was finally identified, she added, “If I would have known that from not swimming in my contacts I could've avoided all of this pain, I would have never done it.”
According to the Cleveland Clinic, Acanthamoeba keratitis infections affect about 1,500 individuals in the U.S. each year, with contact lens wearers comprising 90 per cent of those cases. Common risk factors include wearing contact lenses for extended periods, improper storage or cleaning, and wearing them while swimming or showering.
Safety Tips for Contact Lens Wearers Entering the Pool
- Avoid Swimming with Contacts: To minimize infection risk, it’s best to remove contact lenses before swimming. Even chlorinated water may contain harmful microorganisms, and contacts can trap bacteria, allowing them to remain in contact with the eye for prolonged periods.
- Consider Prescription Goggles: If vision correction is needed while swimming, prescription goggles provide a safer alternative to contact lenses. They protect the eyes from water exposure while allowing clear vision.
- Use Daily Disposable Lenses If Necessary: If you must swim with contact lenses, consider wearing daily disposable lenses and discard them immediately after your swim. This reduces the risk of introducing harmful bacteria to the eye from water.
- Wear Watertight Goggles: For those who choose to keep contact in while swimming, wearing watertight swim goggles can offer an extra layer of protection, reducing the chance of water seeping in.
- Thoroughly Clean and Disinfect Lenses After Exposure: If your contacts are exposed to water, clean and disinfect them thoroughly with a solution approved for contact lenses. Avoid tap water or homemade saline solutions, as they may contain bacteria or amoeba that can lead to serious eye infections.
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