Acanthamoeba infection causes vision loss in teenager

Grace Jamison, a 19-year-old from California, has suffered significant vision loss due to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare and serious corneal infection. The infection developed while she was participating in a church mission in the Dominican Republic after she habitually showered while wearing contact lenses.

Symptoms began with dryness, itching, redness, and extreme light sensitivity, progressing to blurred vision within a week. The diagnosis was delayed for nearly a month; an initial misdiagnosis of a herpes infection led to a corticosteroid prescription that may have worsened the condition. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that symptoms can mimic more common eye infections, complicating identification.

Jamison was completely blind in both eyes for approximately four months. While she has regained partial vision in her left eye with the help of glasses, she still suffers from scarring. Her right eye remains more severely affected. She continues to undergo medical treatment, including the use of a therapeutic contact lens to protect the cornea.