Final answer:
Staphylococcus and Acanthamoeba contaminations on contact lenses pose a high risk for keratitis, which can lead to serious eye damage and requires thorough disinfection and proper treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
If lenses are contaminated with Staphylococcus or Acanthamoeba, there is a significant risk of developing keratitis, an inflammation of the cornea. Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are bacteria known for causing bacterial keratitis, especially in contact lens users. On the other hand, Acanthamoeba keratitis is a parasitic infection often resulting from improper lens disinfection or wearing lenses while swimming. This condition is not only difficult to treat but can also lead to severe corneal damage, vision impairment, or blindness if left untreated. Contact lenses should be disinfected with approved solutions like polyquaternium-1, which contains quaternary ammonium compounds capable of disrupting bacterial cell membranes. In the case of an Acanthamoeba infection, treatment usually involves a combination of chlorhexidine and polyhexamethylene biguanide, and in severe cases, a corneal transplant might be required.