A young woman, aged 19, is facing the alarming prospect of losing her eyesight due to a rare parasite that infected her eye when she showered while wearing contact lenses.
Grace Jamison, who recently recounted her ordeal on social media, received a diagnosis of acanthamoeba keratitis in August. This condition is caused by tiny amoebas that penetrate the cornea. Acanthamoeba is commonly found in water sources like lakes, wells, shower water, as well as in dust and dirt.
While anyone can contract this infection, individuals who wear contact lenses are at a higher risk if they do not adhere to proper hygiene practices.
In a TikTok video that has garnered over six million views, Grace shared, “I was in the Dominican Republic and showered with my contacts in.” She emphasized that the water quality there was poor and contained acanthamoeba. She cautioned that the infection can also be acquired through swimming or sleeping while wearing lenses.
The treatment for acanthamoeba keratitis is rigorous and painful. Grace disclosed that she now has to use medicated eye drops every half to one hour, some of which include pool disinfectant and other chemicals to eliminate the parasite.
The treatment process is anticipated to span from six months to a year, with additional interventions needed to address the scarring and harm caused by the parasite.
Describing the symptoms as severe, Grace mentioned, “There’s significant eye pain, headaches, vision cloudiness, and the risk of blindness. It’s extremely challenging to cope with.”
Despite the difficulties, Grace aims to raise awareness about contact lens safety through her experience. She urged others to adopt simple precautions such as washing hands before handling lenses, regularly changing the solution, avoiding sleeping, swimming, or showering with lenses.
She stressed the importance of people understanding how easily vision can be compromised, stating, “Many of us, including myself, take vision for granted. It’s crucial and incredible that we can see.”
This rewritten article emphasizes the cautionary tale of a young woman’s eye infection due to improper contact lens hygiene practices and her mission to educate others on eye care safety.