'I went blind after catching a flesh-eating parasite in a local swimming pool'
manchestereveningnews.co.ukA woman who went blind in one eye after contracting a flesh-eating parasite believes she caught it in a swimming pool. Shereen-Fay Griffin lost sight in her left eye just under a year ago after becoming infected with acanthamoeba keratitis.
The infection is caused by a microscopic organism called Acanthamoeba, which is common in nature and is usually found in bodies of water. READ MORE: 'We live in a car because we can't find a flat in Greater Manchester' READ MORE: 'We know a lot of people around here, but I don’t trust a single one' At first, Shereen’s symptoms were innocuous - itchiness, soreness and fatigue.
She consulted a GP who referred her to an optician who then referred her to an ophthalmologist. Shereen, 38, was treated with steroids and told she would receive a call to set up a follow-up appointment.
But as the weeks went on, the pain worsened and Shereen never received a call. Almost ten weeks after her initial appointment, on November 9, she woke up blind in her left eye.
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