Brooklyn McCasland, a 23-year-old woman from the United States, lost vision in one eye after contracting a rare parasitic infection known as acanthamoeba keratitis (AK).

The infection occurred while she was swimming with contact lenses during a visit to Alabama in August.

AK, an amoeba that affects the cornea, initially mimicked common infections, leading to a delay in accurate diagnosis and treatment.

McCasland experienced severe pain and eventually lost vision in her right eye.

After multiple visits to eye specialists, she was diagnosed with AK, and was warned of the potential for permanent blindness or eye loss without immediate treatment.

Fortunately, she was able to access specific eye drops for the infection, manufactured in the UK, at a Dallas clinic.

Despite treatment, recovery is a slow process, requiring her to use eye drops every 30 minutes.

AK infections are rare, with only 1,500 cases annually in the US, 90% involving contact lens wearers.

Contributing factors include prolonged lens wear, improper hygiene, and swimming with lenses.

McCasland has expressed hope that her experience will prevent others from similar situations, and noted that a cornea transplant may be necessary in the future if the infection does not improve.