An ordinary day at the beach turned into a life-altering ordeal for Brooklyn McCasland, highlighting the critical importance of contact lens safety.
A Day at the Beach Gone Wrong
Brooklyn McCasland, a vibrant 23-year-old from Longview, Texas, never imagined that a fun-filled beach trip would jeopardize her vision and alter her life forever. What began as a sunny day swimming in the Gulf of Mexico with friends quickly spiraled into a harrowing battle against a rare and aggressive eye infection.The Onset of a Nightmare
In late August, Brooklyn embarked on a girls' beach getaway to Alabama, eager to soak up the sun and enjoy the waves. Like many contact lens wearers, she felt comfortable wearing her monthly lenses during the water activities. However, her decision would soon lead to severe consequences. Within a week of returning home, Brooklyn began experiencing discomfort in her right eye, mistaking the sensation for coffee grounds—an understandable error for someone working as a barista.
The initial irritation soon escalated into excruciating pain and extreme light sensitivity. Despite seeking immediate medical attention and undergoing various antibiotic treatments, Brooklyn's condition did not improve. It took weeks of persistent symptoms and a misdiagnosis before the true culprit was identified: Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious parasitic infection.
Understanding Acanthamoeba Keratitis
Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by single-celled organisms commonly found in water sources like pools, hot tubs, tap water, and natural bodies of water. These parasites can infiltrate the eye through minor abrasions on the cornea, leading to severe inflammation, intense pain, and potentially irreversible damage. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately one to nine cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis per 100,000 people in the United States, with up to 93% of these cases occurring among contact lens users.
The Struggle for a Correct Diagnosis
Brooklyn's journey to a correct diagnosis was fraught with challenges. Initially believing that coffee grounds were the issue, she was prescribed antibiotic drops and other treatments that failed to alleviate her symptoms. The persistent pain and worsening condition prompted a referral to a cornea specialist, who suspected Acanthamoeba keratitis. Confirming the diagnosis required scraping cells from Brooklyn's eye, a procedure that underscored the severity of her infection.
A Battle Against Time and Pain
Once diagnosed, Brooklyn's treatment regimen became intensive and grueling. She began using chlorhexidine and Brolene antimicrobial eye drops every 30 minutes, both day and night, and was prescribed Impavido, an anti-parasitic medication, three times daily. Despite these efforts, Brooklyn lost vision in her right eye and now awaits a corneal transplant—a procedure that may not occur for another year, as doctors must ensure the infection has been fully eradicated.
The relentless treatment has taken a toll on Brooklyn's daily life. Confined to a darkened room to manage extreme light sensitivity and enduring severe pain, she describes the sensation as feeling "like there's glass in your eye." The physical agony is compounded by emotional distress, as Brooklyn grapples with the loss of her vision and the uncertainty of her recovery.
A Call for Greater Awareness
Brooklyn's story is a poignant reminder of the hidden dangers that can accompany contact lens use, especially when combined with water activities. Despite 16 years of diligent lens hygiene, including regular solution changes and never sleeping in her lenses, Brooklyn was unaware of the CDC’s warnings against wearing contacts while swimming or showering. Her experience underscores a critical gap in public awareness and education regarding contact lens safety.
Determined to prevent others from experiencing similar hardships, Brooklyn has become an advocate for increased awareness about the risks of wearing contact lenses in water. She emphasizes the importance of understanding that even the most careful lens users are not immune to such infections.
Preventive Measures to Protect Your Eyes
To safeguard against Acanthamoeba keratitis and other water-related eye infections, the CDC recommends the following precautions for contact lens wearers:
Avoid wearing contact lenses while swimming, showering, or using hot tubs.
If water comes into contact with your lenses, remove them immediately. Discard disposable lenses or thoroughly clean and disinfect reusable ones before reuse.
Never use tap water to clean or store contact lenses. Instead, use solutions specifically designed for contact lens hygiene. Maintain regular check-ups with your eye care professional to ensure proper lens use and eye health.
Supporting Brooklyn’s Journey
Brooklyn’s fight for her vision and overall health is ongoing, and she faces significant financial and emotional challenges. To support her during this difficult time, a GoFundMe page has been established by a friend to help cover medical expenses and living costs as she awaits her corneal transplant.