acanthamoeba keratitis

Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare disease in which amoebae of the genus Acanthamoeba invade the clear portion of the front (cornea) of the eye, and affects roughly 1.2 to 3 million people each year. Acanthamoeba are protozoa found nearly ubiquitously in soil and water, and can cause infections of the skin, eyes, and central nervous system. Infection of the cornea by Acanthamoeba is difficult to treat with conventional medications, and Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) may cause permanent visual impairment ...