[Case report: Acanthamoeba keratitis]

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is an opportunistic protozoan infection caused by the pathogenic Acanthamoeba and associated with soft contact lens wear. If untreated, it can cause serious visual disability. A 23 year-old female wearing soft contact lenses applied to the Department of Ophthalmology of the Aydin Adnan Menderes University School of Medicine, with symptoms of redness, pain and blurred vision of both eyes. She was given a diagnosis of AK on clinical and laboratory grounds. The agent isolated was found to be T4 genotype "Acanthamoeba castellani". The patient regained visual ability following treatment. Although contact lens wear is the major risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis, the disease is usually seen unilaterally whereas in our case a bilateral involvement was observed. Great care should be practiced during contact lens use and there should be strict adherence to hygienic conditions if infections affecting the eye are to be avoided.