Ipswich woman could lose sight after parasite ‘burrows’ into eye

A woman fears she could partially lose her sight after a water parasite “burrowed” into her eye when she went swimming while wearing contact lenses.

Nicola Greenfield, of Rendlesham, Suffolk, has been diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis, a painful infection of the cornea – the outer layer that protects the eye.

The 58-year-old sought help after her vision became blurred and her right eye started to feel “really sore” and sensitive to light while she was working on her computer.

“My vision is incredibly blurred and it feels a bit like getting chilli, lemon juice or bleach in your eye,” said Mrs Greenfield, who has had to be signed off work.

“The worst case scenario is I lose sight in my right eye and the best case scenario is I lose a little bit – but I am just going to do what I can to try and get better,” said Mrs Greenfield.

“Since I started treatment it has got a little better, but I am having to wear dark glasses and put blankets against my curtains because I can’t bear the light.”

According to the NHS’s Moorfields Eye Hospital website, around two in 100,000 contact lens wearers per year in the UK are diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis.

The infection is caused by a microscopic organism usually found in bodies of water as well as domestic tap water, swimming pools, hot tubs, soil and air.

Some patients can recover within three to six months, while more complicated cases can prove debilitating for as long as a year.

Mrs Greenfield was advised to go to Ipswich Hospital after her optician declared she was suffering from a “medical emergency” and needed urgent attention.

She has since undergone numerous examinations, biopsies and intensive treatment and has had surgery to remove the top layer of her cornea.

“If you wear contact lenses [the parasite] can get trapped behind the lens and start to burrow into the eye,” she said.

“It is incredibly rare but that, unfortunately, is what’s happened to me.”

Vision Direct says swimming with “contact lenses or getting them wet should be avoided at all times” as doing so can make eyes “vulnerable to contamination by harmful bacteria”.

Mrs Greenfield, who has worn contact lenses for 40 years, has now warned others to wear goggles and be mindful of purchasing lenses on the internet.

“I was always told not to sleep in contact lenses, that was a big no-no, but I don’t know why opticians are not telling people not to wear them when they shower or swim,” she told the BBC.

“Behind the lens is a lovely, warm environment for a germ to breed so people need to be really, really careful.

“If I had known then I wouldn’t have worn my lenses while swimming.”

Max Halford, clinical and policy director of the Association of British Dispensing Opticians, said opticians “will always advise on how to handle, clean and replace your contact lenses”.

“Every UK-based contact lens optician should always provide advice on the correct care and usage of contact lenses both at the initial fitting appointment and at every follow up,” he said.

“We recommend patients always attend their local opticians for routine contact lenses appointments, usually every 24 months or more often if recommended by your eye care professional.

“These appointments are a vital part of your eye health regime if you are a contact lens wearer and they are an opportunity for your optician to review and check the correct procedures are being followed for successful contact lens wear.

“Always check with the supplier of your contact lenses that after appointments and advice is available including advice on what to do in an emergency.”