Rare Disease Day
- By Monica Coelho
- •
- 10 Jan, 2023
- •
Acanthamoeba Keratitis: A rare condition that affects contact lens wearers
Today as it is the International Rare Disease Day, we are going to put out some information about a Disease caused
by the Amebae Acanthamoeba, called Acanthamoeba Keratitis and what you should do to avoid it. This organism is easily found everywhere in the world, and it likes to live in the soil, dust and all sources of water (sea, rivers, hot springs, lakes, marsh, etc). This Amabae causes an infection in your cornea called Acanthamoeba Keratitis and, although rare, because it likes to live in water sources, it is more common to find it in among Contact Lens Wearers.
Why does it mainly affect Contact Lens wearers?
Unfortunately some patients are not aware of the dangers that might come from improper handling. Using tap water to clean or store contact lenses or having poor contact lens hygiene increases the risk of infection. Examples of poor lens care are:
- Not using disinfection solutions properly or at all;
- Reusing the solution in the contact lens case;
- Failing to empty and dry the contact lens case after use;
- Storing lenses in water overnight;
- Use Saline Solution to store them;
- When they fall on the floor or anywhere that might contain bacteria, not disinfecting them before putting them back in the eyes.
Wearing contact lenses when swimming or taking a shower also increases the risk, so does putting lenses in with your hands wet from tap water.
Buying contacts online, costume stores, etc, might also increase your chances to develop this infection, as this places will not worry about storing contact lenses properly (humid spaces with no ventilation, wet boxes, direct exposure to the weather conditions, etc).
In the UK it is forbidden to supply Contact Lenses without a Eye Examination & Contact Lens check-up in date. This prevents you from buying something that might not be compatible with your eyes anymore, prescription and material wise. Contact Lenses are always changing parameters and materials, for the patients safety and comfort.
If you want to start wearing contact lenses, please consult a professional first. Opticians will advise you on the prescription, they will teach you how to put them on and take them off and they will explain how to handle them according to the type of contact lenses you need (dailies, monthly's, RGP's, etc).
At Care Optics we provide Eye Examinations and Contact Lens Checks, and we work with the better contact lens Companies to ensure your safety comes first. If you want to start wearing contact lenses or you just need a new check-up, make sure to contact us so we can book that appointment for you. We will be more than happy to help!
Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care
by the Amebae Acanthamoeba, called Acanthamoeba Keratitis and what you should do to avoid it. This organism is easily found everywhere in the world, and it likes to live in the soil, dust and all sources of water (sea, rivers, hot springs, lakes, marsh, etc). This Amabae causes an infection in your cornea called Acanthamoeba Keratitis and, although rare, because it likes to live in water sources, it is more common to find it in among Contact Lens Wearers.
Why does it mainly affect Contact Lens wearers?
Unfortunately some patients are not aware of the dangers that might come from improper handling. Using tap water to clean or store contact lenses or having poor contact lens hygiene increases the risk of infection. Examples of poor lens care are:
- Not using disinfection solutions properly or at all;
- Reusing the solution in the contact lens case;
- Failing to empty and dry the contact lens case after use;
- Storing lenses in water overnight;
- Use Saline Solution to store them;
- When they fall on the floor or anywhere that might contain bacteria, not disinfecting them before putting them back in the eyes.
Wearing contact lenses when swimming or taking a shower also increases the risk, so does putting lenses in with your hands wet from tap water.
Buying contacts online, costume stores, etc, might also increase your chances to develop this infection, as this places will not worry about storing contact lenses properly (humid spaces with no ventilation, wet boxes, direct exposure to the weather conditions, etc).
In the UK it is forbidden to supply Contact Lenses without a Eye Examination & Contact Lens check-up in date. This prevents you from buying something that might not be compatible with your eyes anymore, prescription and material wise. Contact Lenses are always changing parameters and materials, for the patients safety and comfort.
If you want to start wearing contact lenses, please consult a professional first. Opticians will advise you on the prescription, they will teach you how to put them on and take them off and they will explain how to handle them according to the type of contact lenses you need (dailies, monthly's, RGP's, etc).
At Care Optics we provide Eye Examinations and Contact Lens Checks, and we work with the better contact lens Companies to ensure your safety comes first. If you want to start wearing contact lenses or you just need a new check-up, make sure to contact us so we can book that appointment for you. We will be more than happy to help!
Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care
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Also known as "Surfer's Eye", Pterygium is an elevated, wedged-shaped growth from the lining of the eyelid onto the cornea. Although is benign, the growth itself can permanently disfigure the eye, reduce significantly the eyesight or even cause blindness. It became known as "Surfer's eye" because it is usually a consequence of being exposed to bright sun for long hours, specially by the water or snow - which reflects the UV rays to your eyes.
Causes
As written above, UV exposure seems to be one of the main reasons for Pterygium development, but wind and dust can also cause it as this leads to Dry Eye Disease, which by consequence will lead to this condition. Genetics may also play an important part, as some people seem to be more at risk than others.
Signs & Symptoms
Pterygium usually appears on the side of your eye that is closest to the nose, but it can also appear on the other sometimes. It is common to have it in one eye only, although sometimes it may appear on both eyes.
There are people who don't experience any symptoms or require treatment in the beginning, but as the growth develops, there can be redness, gritty, itchy or burning sensation, the eyes can become irritated and even swollen.
When the Pterygium starts to invade the cornea, it distorts the shape of the front of the eye, causing the curve of the cornea to change, leading then to refractive errors (Astigmatism in most cases).
Treatment
The treatment depends on the size of the Pterygium itself. If it's just a small growth, your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist can advise the patient on lubricants (eye drops or gels) to temporary reduce symptoms like redness, swelling, itchy or gritty felling.
If the Pterygium is more advanced, the only option is then surgery.
How to avoid it
As previously said, UV radiation and exposure seems to be one of the main reason leading to Pterygium. For that you have the perfect solution that is available for everyone - sunglasses . A good pair of sunglasses will filter the UV rays, giving you a sharper vision but also protecting you from conditions like Pterygium, Cataracts, Glaucoma, etc. Make sure to buy your sunglasses from a Optician instead of a shop non-related to eye care. A good pair of sunglasses should have UVA, UVB and UVC protection, and usually those shops will only have one of those protections - or even none.
We remind you that if you have any of these symptoms or any other, if you need to book an appointment or if you have any queries, please contact us over phone or email. We will be very happy to help you.
Keep in mind: At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care
Causes
As written above, UV exposure seems to be one of the main reasons for Pterygium development, but wind and dust can also cause it as this leads to Dry Eye Disease, which by consequence will lead to this condition. Genetics may also play an important part, as some people seem to be more at risk than others.
Signs & Symptoms
Pterygium usually appears on the side of your eye that is closest to the nose, but it can also appear on the other sometimes. It is common to have it in one eye only, although sometimes it may appear on both eyes.
There are people who don't experience any symptoms or require treatment in the beginning, but as the growth develops, there can be redness, gritty, itchy or burning sensation, the eyes can become irritated and even swollen.
When the Pterygium starts to invade the cornea, it distorts the shape of the front of the eye, causing the curve of the cornea to change, leading then to refractive errors (Astigmatism in most cases).
Treatment
The treatment depends on the size of the Pterygium itself. If it's just a small growth, your Optometrist/Ophthalmologist can advise the patient on lubricants (eye drops or gels) to temporary reduce symptoms like redness, swelling, itchy or gritty felling.
If the Pterygium is more advanced, the only option is then surgery.
How to avoid it
As previously said, UV radiation and exposure seems to be one of the main reason leading to Pterygium. For that you have the perfect solution that is available for everyone - sunglasses . A good pair of sunglasses will filter the UV rays, giving you a sharper vision but also protecting you from conditions like Pterygium, Cataracts, Glaucoma, etc. Make sure to buy your sunglasses from a Optician instead of a shop non-related to eye care. A good pair of sunglasses should have UVA, UVB and UVC protection, and usually those shops will only have one of those protections - or even none.
We remind you that if you have any of these symptoms or any other, if you need to book an appointment or if you have any queries, please contact us over phone or email. We will be very happy to help you.
Keep in mind: At Care Optics - Eye Care, We Care
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