Texas: A Texas woman, Brooklyn McCasland, 23, went blind in one eye after a parasite burrowed into her cornea. She believes the infection was contracted while she was swimming in contact lenses during a recent trip to Alabama.
Parasite Identified as Acanthamoeba Keratitis
McCasland shared that her condition, identified as acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), developed after her eye became infected with an amoeba. According to the Cleveland Clinic, AK is a rare infection that damages the cornea and can lead to severe vision loss. McCasland’s case was initially misdiagnosed, leading to a delay in receiving the correct treatment.
Pain and Vision Loss
McCasland described the infection as the “most pain” she had ever experienced. She noted that her vision in her right eye deteriorated, eventually leading to complete blindness. During her treatment journey, she visited multiple eye specialists and was initially prescribed steroids and other drops for what doctors thought was a common infection.
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Urgent Diagnosis and Treatment
When doctors finally diagnosed her with AK, McCasland faced the risk of permanent blindness or even losing her eye if treatment was not started immediately. “I could possibly go permanently blind or lose my eye if not starting treatment immediately,” McCasland shared. Given the rarity of AK, the necessary treatment drops are only manufactured in the UK, but fortunately, a Dallas clinic had samples, allowing her to begin treatment promptly.
Ongoing Treatment and Possible Cornea Transplant
McCasland now administers eye drops every 30 minutes as part of her slow recovery process. She expressed gratitude for the diagnosis, saying, “I’m thankful that we know exactly what it is and I’m able to start the correct treatment.” However, her recovery remains uncertain, and doctors have suggested a possible cornea transplant may be necessary to restore her vision.
Risks for Contact Lens Wearers
Acanthamoeba keratitis infections are rare, with about 1,500 cases in the U.S. each year. However, contact lens wearers account for 90% of these cases, largely due to unsafe practices such as wearing lenses while swimming or storing them improperly. The National Library of Medicine notes that wearing contact lenses can cause minor abrasions on the cornea, creating an entry point for the parasite.
McCasland’s Message to Others
Reflecting on her experience, McCasland expressed regret about wearing contacts in the water, stating, “If I would have known that from not swimming in my contacts I could’ve avoided all of this pain, I would have never done it.” She hopes her story will serve as a warning to other contact lens users, encouraging safer practices to prevent similar infections.
McCasland’s battle with the parasite continues, but her determination remains strong. As she awaits further progress in her recovery, she hopes to raise awareness about the risks associated with contact lens use.
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