Zhou Weiyi, attending ophthalmologist at Zhongxing Branch of Taipei United Hospital, pointed out that symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis include foreign body sensation, red eyes, photophobia, tearing, and eye pain.

(Provided by Taipei United Hospital)

[Reporter Cai Sipei/Taipei Report] Many beauty-loving people like to wear contact lenses when they go out. However, if the contact lenses are not thoroughly cleaned or washed with tap water, it may cause corneal ulcers caused by amoeba, and even require hospitalization.

Zhou Weiyi, attending ophthalmologist at Zhongxing Branch of Taipei United Hospital, pointed out that Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba protozoan in the environment. It can be found in soil, swimming pools, and tap water. If the pathogen infects the eyes, it will cause Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

Symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis include foreign body sensation, red eyes, photophobia, tearing, eye pain, and blurred vision.

Please read on...

The main risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis is wearing contact lenses. More than 90% of patients wear contact lenses, and 90% of them wear soft contact lenses.

Wearing orthokeratology lenses may also have a higher chance of infection due to the thinner corneal epithelium, not thoroughly cleaning the lens and using tap water to wash the lens.

If you wear contact lenses for swimming or bathing, you may also be infected.

Zhou Weiyi said that the acute treatment of acanthamoeba keratitis takes several weeks, and the follow-up usually requires 3 to 6 months of maintenance treatment. Patients must follow the doctor's advice and medication, and if the treatment is interrupted without authorization, the success may fall short.

The drug part mainly consists of two eye drops, polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG).

Zhou Weiyi suggested that the public develop good hygiene habits, keep contact lenses clean, and thoroughly implement lens cleaning procedures. Contact lens cases also need to be cleaned and dried.

Zhou also reminded the public to avoid swimming, soaking in hot springs, and bathing while wearing contact lenses. If you feel unwell, you should stop wearing contact lenses and seek medical treatment as soon as possible.

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  • contact lenses

  • cornea

  • amoeba

  • corneal ulcer

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