A case of Acanthamoeba keratitis in a water polo player

We report a case of Acanthamoeba keratitis that was related to inadequate cleaning and disinfecting of soft contact lenses (SCLs). A 26- year-old male player of water polo used frequent-replacement SCLs for about 6 weeks without washing or sterilizing them. About 1 year later, he visited Department of Ophthalmology, Keio University Hospital with complaints of ocular pain in the left eye. On slit-lamp examination, hyperemia and swelling of the limbal conjunctiva were noted and corneal subepithelial infiltrations were observed in the left eye. Corneal scrapings were cultured and Acanthamoeba was isolated. The patient was successfully treated with topical fluconazole. Although SCLs can be used by swimmers, inadequate cleansing of lenses can increase the risk of Acanthamoeba keratitis. Ophthalmologists should notify all patients wearing SCLs of the importance of adequate cleaning and disinfecting measures.