Texas CBS affiliate KENS-TV (10/8, Rigby) reports on the case of Beverly Keller of Castroville, Texas, a contact lens-wearer who is suffering from an eye infection that was caused by an amoeba. Keller traveled "to San Antonio every day...to see an eye specialist," because the "pain in her right eye was extraordinary." She "was diagnosed with acanthamoeba," which is "a tiny parasite living in her cornea," that if left untreated "could have caused her to lose her eye in a matter of days." Ophthalmologist Dr. Kenneth Maverick said, "You ask a patient what their degree of pain is, and an acanthamoeba is a 10 out of 10. And that's because it actually nibbles on some of the nerves in the eye." The organisms "often come from pools, hot tubs and even well water." In order to destroy the parasites, "powerful eye drops" are used. "Acanthamoeba infections are more common in the south where the weather is warmer. Overall, the risk is about one in 10,000 contact lens wearers."
Replace your contacts after swimming in risk areas like mentioned!
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment