Tiffani Zeleny wore her contacts while inner tubing on a lake earlier this summer and now is plagued with an amoeba in her eye. The same kind of microorganism killed a young boy in Nebraska last month after he swam in a river.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is an infection caused by a microscopic amoeba. It targets the eye's cornea. The amoebas are common in nature and are often found in lakes, oceans, soil and air. Although it most often affects people who wear contacts, anyone can be infected. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said the most common causes of the infection are storing and handling lenses improperly; disinfecting lenses improperly using tap water or homemade solutions; swimming, using a hot tub or showering while wearing contact lenses and having a history of trauma to the cornea.

Zeleny, also from Nebraska, battles the amoeba with up to 70 eye drops a day. She has worn contacts since the third grade. Although acanthamoeba infections are rare, 85 percent of them are associated with contact lenses, according to a report from KKTV. The CDC has an informational page about the disease on its website.

"Acanthamoeba keratitis is a rare but serious infection of the eye that can result in permanent visual impairment or blindness," the page said.

Zeleny said although she didn't put her head underwater at the lake she visited, she may have been splashed. She also said it was possible she was infected by the amoeba when she tore down an old fence and did yard work without safety glasses.

Dr. Thomas Steinemann, a spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology and professor of ophthalmology at MetroHealth Medical Center, told Newsweek acanthamoeba keratitis is found in all sources of water. He said although this particular amoeba isn't fatal, it is devastating to the eye and causes excruciating pain.

"I've had patients tell me that they were so distraught and in so much pain, they just wanted me to take the eye out. It's miserable," Steinemann told Newsweek.

Steinemann said early diagnosis is critical for treating the infection, but diagnosis can be difficult. Steinemann said he often goes by his gut feeling when a patient presents with extreme pain but the eye doesn't appear to be damaged. He also takes into account if the patient recently wore soft contact lenses in a body of water.

"If they tell me their eye hurts like hell, it's terrible and they have excruciating pain or can't sleep at night and I look in and see an irritated eye but the eye is not falling apart, that makes me very suspicious," he said.

Steinemann said even with early detection, recovery can take months. Once the amoeba has been treated, then a corneal transplant can occur.

"The deeper the infection gets into the cornea, the worse the prognosis," he said.

Steinemann said anti-amoebic eye drops are prescribed but don't always cure the infection, as the drops don't penetrate the cornea.

Steinemann stressed if a soft contact lens wearer is experiencing excruciating eye pain, they should see an ophthalmologist immediately rather than go to an urgent care or an emergency room.

Dr. Mike Feilmeier, a corneal surgeon at Midwest Eye Care, told KKTV that in the past 15 years, he's only seen five or six cases of acanthamoeba keratitis as severe as Zeleny's. Feilmeier advised contact wearers to clean their contacts properly, not sleep in them and avoid wearing them when swimming.

"Acanthamoeba keratitis is a horrible infection," Zeleny told KKTV. "We are very optimistic that a miracle can happen, and my eye can be saved." Zeleny administers the eye drops herself. A GoFundMe has been established to help her cover the cost of the expensive drops, which she pays for out of pocket.

The GoFundMe said Zeleny has been working with doctors for weeks to gain control over the infection. Zeleny hasn't seen any success in her treatments. She was referred to the University of Iowa for treatment and must travel to Iowa City.

"From this, she has found out she also has second and third infections to battle on top of Acanthamoeba Keratitis," the GoFundMe post said. "The doctors are highly doubtful that they will be able to save her infected eye. In hopes of saving Tiffani's eye, she is using seven different types of eye drops, totaling more than 70 painful drops each day."

The GoFundMe said Zeleny's recovery could take more than a year. Zeleny hasn't been able to work due to pain, inflammation and intense sensitivity to light. She has no sight in her infected eye.

"Tiffani is an amazing mother to four loving and beautiful daughters. She has always devoted as much time to them and her husband Gary as there is in the day. Sadly, Tiffani spends most of her hours in the dark at home while trying to stay positive," the GoFundMe said.

More than $20,000 has been raised for the fundraiser.

Update: 09/02/22 1:43 p.m. ET: This article was updated with comment from Dr. Thomas Steinemann.

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