British photographer diagnosed with rare parasitic eye infection after Bali trip

Matt Flack, a 38-year-old British photographer from Colchester, has been diagnosed with acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare and severe parasitic eye infection, following a two-month trip to Bali.

Flack reported experiencing redness, watering, and a gritty sensation in his left eye after swimming and surfing. Initially believing the irritation was caused by sand or saltwater, he removed his contact lenses, but his symptoms worsened significantly upon returning to the United Kingdom. He experienced extreme light sensitivity and constant tearing, which initially led to a misdiagnosis of chemical damage.

Specialized scans and corneal microscopy eventually identified the microscopic amoeba. The infection attacks the cornea and can lead to permanent vision loss. Flack, who has worn daily contact lenses for over 20 years, believes wearing his lenses while swimming in pools may have contributed to the infection. He is now undergoing a multi-month treatment plan to combat the parasite.