Acanthamoeba keratitis in soft contact lens wearers. A case-control study.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Acanthamoeba keratitis is a severe corneal infection.
• It is primarily associated with soft contact lens wear.
• Identifying specific risk factors is crucial for prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify risk factors for Acanthamoeba keratitis in soft contact lens wearers.
• To compare the contact lens care practices of infected patients with uninfected controls.

Main Methods:

• Case-control study involving 27 patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis and 81 matched controls.
• Interviews were conducted to gather data on contact lens care, solutions, and behaviors.
• Microbiologic assays were performed on contact lens solutions.

Main Results:

• Patients were more likely to use homemade saline (78% vs 17%) and wear lenses while swimming (63% vs 30%).
• Inadequate disinfection frequency was higher in patients (72% vs 32%).
• Contaminated solutions and homemade saline were linked to Acanthamoeba presence.

Conclusions:

• Non-adherence to recommended soft contact lens care practices is a significant risk factor.
• Use of nonsterile solutions and improper disinfection increases Acanthamoeba keratitis risk.
• Emphasizes the importance of following manufacturer guidelines for lens hygiene.