A 38-year-old man developed a rare, vision-threatening eye infection after wearing contact lenses while swimming and surfing during a vacation in Bali.
British Photographer Suffers Severe Eye Damage After Contracting Rare Infection During Bali Surf Trip
Matt Flack, 38, a photographer from Colchester, England, developed a rare and potentially sight-threatening eye infection after a surfing trip to Bali.
Flack contracted Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a serious infection of the cornea caused by the microscopic organism Acanthamoeba. The condition can cause severe eye damage and, in serious cases, lead to permanent vision loss.
His case was associated with wearing contact lenses while being exposed to water during his vacation. Contact lens wear can increase the risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis when lenses come into contact with contaminated water.
Following the infection, Flack experienced significant damage to his eye and faced the possibility of losing his vision.
The case highlights an important warning for contact lens users: wearing lenses while swimming, surfing, showering, or otherwise exposing them to water can increase the risk of serious eye infections.
Flack’s experience serves as a reminder that what may seem like a harmless combination of contact lenses and water can, in rare cases, result in a severe medical emergency.
Source: people.com
