Swimmers warned of Acanthamoeba risk

The dangers of wearing contact lenses while swimming have been raised by the Daily Mail (20 August 2012) after a wearer was blinded in one eye by Acanthamoeba keratitis.

The 28-year-old monthly lens wearer Jennie Hurst swam briefly in a hotel pool in the West Country and developed an infection in one eye. She was referred to Southampton General Hospital, given drops and on return a week later found that she had Acanthamoeba keratitis. After six operations in the past year she is still having treatment in an attempt to regain vision in the damaged eye.

Consultant ophthalmologist at the hospital's eye unit, Parwez Hossain said it was one of the most severe cases he had seen: 'The problem is that people have no idea of the risks of swimming or showering while wearing lenses.'