Acanthamoeba Risk Factors

Acanthamoeba organisms are literally amoebas that can cause corneal infections. One of the at-risk populations for these corneal infections are contact lens users.

A study done by Dr. Nicole Carnt and colleagues regarding Acanthamoeba was published in the January 2023 edition of the Journal Ophthalmology. They identified several risk factors among contact lens users that increase the chances of Acanthamoeba infections: 1) reusable contact lens use (compared to daily disposable lenses), 2) more time since last contact lens check, 3) showering when using contacts, 4) contact lens reuse, and 5) overnight contact lens use (sleeping in contacts). Many of these risk factors increase the chances of infections with other non-amoeba organisms as well.