Symptoms Of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

There is a single-celled amoeba that can wreak havoc on your eyes and even lead to blindness, and it is called Acanthamoeba. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), this type of amoeba can be found just about anywhere, including in all types of water, in the soil, and even in the air. If this organism makes its way to the eye causing Acanthamoeba keratitis, it can lead to visual impairment that can range all the way up to vision loss. While individuals who wear contact lenses appear to be more at risk for contracting this amoeba, anyone who comes into contact with this organism is certainly at risk. Knowing the symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis may help save your vision.

Light Sensitivity

When your eyes are sensitive to the light, it is known as photophobia. The name can be misleading, as this is not a fear of the light, but rather an extreme sensitivity. The irritation caused by the amoeba can increase your eyes' ability to effectively filter light through the corneas or the widening and narrowing of the pupils. While some individuals may feel light sensitivity is a condition in and of itself, it is typically a symptom of some other type of problem with the eyes, including Acanthamoeba keratitis infection. When you are in bright light situations, you may automatically squint your eyes or experience additional symptoms.

Get to know these additional symptoms now.

Feeling Something In The Eye

A very common complaint heard by ophthalmologists is the feeling there is something in a patient's eye. This feeling is often referred to as foreign body sensation. In many cases, there is nothing there. The cornea, or clear covering over the iris and pupil, is generally affected. This can feel like something is scratching your eye, resulting in irritation, itching, or pain. The cornea could have been scratched by a foreign body, including an eyelash, which is no longer present. However, in the case of Acanthamoeba keratitis, there is a foreign body present: an amoeba. If you believe you are feeling something in the eye, you should get the issue checked promptly to avoid permanent damage to your vision.

Reveal the next sign of Acanthamoeba keratitis now.