Acanthamoeba Keratitis Risk Factors and Prevention

Clinical Presentation and Risk Factors

• The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that tap water exposure is a cardinal risk factor for Acanthamoeba keratitis, and patients should be instructed not to rinse contact lenses or lens cases with tap water 1, 2, 3
• Contact lens wearers should use only sterile products commercially prepared for contact lens care and never rinse lenses with tap water, bottled water, or homemade saline to prevent Acanthamoeba keratitis 1, 4
• Cryptococcus neoformans is not associated with tap water exposure or contact lens wear, and would not be expected in tap water cultures, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1
• Naegleria fowleri does not cause ocular infections, but rather primary amebic meningoencephalitis through nasal passage entry during swimming in warm freshwater, as stated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1
• Strongyloides stercoralis has no association with contact lenses or tap water exposure to the eye, and is not a cause of ocular infections, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1
• Toxoplasma gondii is not associated with contact lens wear or tap water exposure, and would not be cultured from tap water, as stated by the American Academy of Ophthalmology 1