A 17 yr. old boy was on a weekend camping trip, was taken to a local emergency department 3 days after he returned. His parents said that he participated in various activities including fishing, swimming in the lake, hunting in, and eating their catch over a campfire. His mom reported that he began having an extreme headache and blurred vision. You observe notice some white blotches in his eyes. He does wear contact lens and thinks he scratch his eye.

What is the clinical diagnosis?

a) Amebic encephalitis

b) Bacterial encephalitis

c) Amebic keratitis

d) Food intoxication

e) Scratched cornea

Answer: C. Amebic keratitis

Explanation:

Amebic keratitis is a rare but serious infection of the eye that can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. This infection is caused by a tiny ameba (single-celled living organism) called Acanthamoeba. Some of the symptoms of this infection are known as headache, blurred vision, Sensation of something in the eye, Eye pain or redness, Sensitivity to light, Excessive tearing etc ...

Some of the ways to prevent this infection is by maintaining a good eye care or hygiene by avoiding swimming in waters infected with germs, washing of hands with antibacterial soap to prevent rubbing eyes with hands infected with germs. Though this infection is rare but can be treated with regimen or drugs prescribed by an eye doctor.