Kristen started to have pain in her eyes back in August. Over the next few months she was seen almost weekly by an optometrist then an ophthalmologist and finally the cornea specialists at Wills Eye Hospital in Philadelphia. None of the medications they prescribed helped and as the weeks went by her pain increased and her vision deteriorated. The correct diagnosis took almost three months. Kristen has a rare parasitic amoeba called Acanthamoeba Keratitis. This condition causes scarring and damage to the cornea which impacts vision and causes severe pain. The treatment is intense and requires around-the-clock hourly eye drops for an extended period of time. Doctors are hopeful Kristen will regain vision in her right eye but believe she will likely require surgery for her left eye. For now, it's one day at a time. More than anything else your prayers and well wishes are needed. Thank you for supporting Kristen and her family during this harrowing ordeal. Kristen would like everyone know that, although this condition is rare, it is increasing in prevalence among contact lens users. The amoeba causing this disease is common, lurking in any water source including tap water. Never get water in contact with your contact lenses, neither in the shower, by swimming or even changing your contacts with a slight amount of water left from washing your hands. Protect your eyes from this condition.