Contact lens wearers are advised to be vigilant with their eye health after an outbreak of a rare infection that can cause blindness.
Acanthamoeba keratitis is an infection of the cornea that can be incredibly painful and contact lens wearers are thought to be most at risk.
According to Moorfields Eye Hospital in London the infection is caused by "a microscopic organism called Acanthamoeba, which is common in nature and is usually found in bodies of water" such as lakes and rivers, but also tap water, swimming pools, soil and air.
The hospital say they’ve seen an increase in the number of people suffering with the infection over the last few years.
Only eight to 10 cases were reported in England between 2000 and 2003.
This number rose to between 35 and 65 from 2011 to 2016.
In 2002, a study estimated that in south east England there were around 2.5 cases per 100,000 contact lens wearers.
But according to researchers from University College London (UCL) and Moorfields, this figure is now two to three times higher.
Those who develop a severe infection are often left with less than 25 per cent of their vision and can become blind after the infection has clearerd.
Research suggests that those who become infected are more likely to wear reusable contacts, have used ineffective contact lens solution, have poor hygiene habits or have contaminated their lenses with water.
Professor John Dart, from the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology told Metro: "This increase in cases highlights the need for contact lens users to be aware of the risks.
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"People who wear reusable contact lenses need to make sure they thoroughly wash and dry their hands before handling contact lenses, and avoid wearing them while swimming, face washing or bathing."
He added that using daily disposable lenses "may be safer" as they "eliminate the need for contact lens cases or solutions".
However researchers are still trying to establish the risk factor for this type of lens.
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