Moorfields launches campaign after increase in Acanthamoeba cases

A sharp rise in cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis infections has prompted Moorfields Eye Hospital to run a campaign on contact lens compliance.

The hospital revealed during a media briefing last week it had seen 80 cases of Acanthamoeba in 16 months, equating to 60 in the past year – higher than its usual incidence of around 10-15 cases per year.

Moorfields’ campaign coincided with the beginning of university terms – targeting this identified risk group with posters, fliers and social media activity including videos.

Moorfields consultant Professor John Dart said: ‘The majority of contact lens wearers we see report receiving advice from practitioners. Some follow all the steps of good lens wear hygiene and habits, yet some still end up with infections while others are unaware that sleeping in their contact lenses or wearing them in the shower or when swimming can put them at risk of infection too.’