A 19-year-old student from the UK, Jessica Greaney, suffered a rare parasitic infection that began eating her cornea after a holiday in Mexico. The infection, known as Acanthamoeba Keratitis, affects approximately one in 50,000 contact lens wearers in the UK each year.
Greaney initially thought she had a minor infection, but her condition rapidly worsened. She was diagnosed with an ulcer on her eye, and a week later, doctors confirmed it was Acanthamoeba Keratitis. She was immediately admitted to hospital and required eye drops every half hour for four days, preventing her from sleeping.
The student described the experience as 'heartbreaking' and 'torture', noting that the lack of sleep caused her immune system to shut down. She questioned whether she would ever recover, as doctors struggled to provide a clear prognosis. The infection is contracted from water, and contact lens wearers are particularly at risk if water comes into contact with their lenses.
Greaney emphasised that the infection is not solely due to poor lens hygiene; she was meticulous with her lenses but kept them near a sink. She warned others not to shower or swim while wearing contact lenses, as the pain and risk of permanent sight damage are severe. After intensive treatment, her eye is now free of redness and pain, though she still requires 20 eye drops per day.
Acanthamoeba Keratitis is caused by a single-celled parasite that is otherwise harmless to humans. It can affect people with cornea injuries as well as contact lens wearers. The condition is difficult to diagnose because its symptoms mimic other infections.
