After swimming with her contact lenses on, a Texas woman tragically lost vision in her right eye due to a parasitic infection.
In a frightening ordeal, Brooklyn McCasland faced severe complications that culminated in blindness and costly medical treatments, Daily Mail reported.
Early in August, Brooklyn McCasland, 23, enjoyed a day at the beach in Alabama with friends. Little did she know, this trip would trigger a series of health issues culminating in a permanent loss of vision. A few days following her swim, the first signs of trouble emerged as discomfort in her eyes.
Initially, the symptoms were dismissed as sand irritation combined with a common eye infection. Medical professionals prescribed antibiotics and steroid-based eye drops, expecting a swift recovery.
However, the situation quickly deteriorated. Brooklyn's eye became clouded, a condition that persisted for weeks. This persistent cloudiness was not alleviated by the initial treatment, indicating that something more serious was affecting her eye.
Her discomfort escalating, Brooklyn consulted a specialist who noted unusual, white cloudy flecks on her cornea. This observation was a critical turning point in her medical journey.
The specialist diagnosed her with acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare infection caused by a parasite prevalent in natural and tap waters. This diagnosis came only after her condition had significantly worsened, leaving her in severe pain and with impaired vision.
The parasite had penetrated Brooklyn's eye through microscopic tears that can occur with contact lens wear. This revelation highlighted the risks associated with wearing contact lenses in environments like swimming pools or beaches.
With the diagnosis confirmed, Brooklyn faced the harsh reality of her condition. Given the nature of acanthamoeba keratitis, treatment requires aggressive and costly measures.
Doctors recommended a regimen of anti-parasitic eyedrops, administered every 30 minutes. These drops contained powerful chemicals similar to those used in pool cleaning, reflecting the seriousness of her infection.
Unfortunately, about 40 percent of patients with this infection ultimately require surgical intervention, including cornea transplants. For Brooklyn, this meant confronting the possibility of a $5,000 surgery on top of already mounting medical bills totaling over $62,000 for medication alone.
The impact of the infection extended beyond Brooklyn's health. Unable to continue her job at a café due to pain, light sensitivity, and loss of depth perception, her daily life and financial stability were profoundly affected.
This situation is not exceedingly rare, as acanthamoeba keratitis affects around 1,500 Americans each year, primarily among those who wear contact lenses. The parasitic infection can lead to severe outcomes if not handled properly from the onset.
Brooklyn's ordeal serves as a somber warning about the risks of inappropriate contact lens hygiene. She admitted to frequently wearing lenses while swimming and showering, practices warned against by eye health professionals.
Reflecting on her past practices, Brooklyn expressed deep regret. "If I could have avoided all this pain by not swimming in my contacts, then I would have done it," she said, lamenting her lack of awareness about the risks.
She described the initial symptoms as "felt like glass was in your eye," conveying the excruciating pain that heralded her severe infection.
"It was a shock but also a relief to have everything answered," Brooklyn said regarding her diagnosis. After enduring misdiagnoses and escalating symptoms, the clarity of a confirmed diagnosis brought mixed feelings of relief and frustration.
Eye care specialists continually advise against using contact lenses in showers, pools, and hot tubs. Brooklyn's story underscores the importance of following these guidelines to prevent similar, potentially devastating health crises.
"Now I don't have eyesight, I'd do anything to get it back. It would be life-changing for sure," Brooklyn expressed, highlighting the irreversible nature of her situation.
Her experience is a cautionary tale about the importance of proper contact lens care, urging others to heed the recommendations that she overlooked. Through sharing her story, she hopes to prevent others from suffering a similar fate.
