Contact Lens Solution Recall Advice
The recall is due to concerns about a rare but serious
eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis, which is
caused by a waterborne parasite.
In a news release dated May 25, Advanced Medical Optics
states that "there is no evidence" of a product
contamination issue. The recall doesn't include the
company's other products.
The CDC and FDA have this advice for consumers:
- Stop using the recalled solution and discard all
remaining solution.
- Choose an alternative contact lens solution. Consult
your eye care provider for help.
- Replace your lenses and storage container.
- Seek immediate treatment if you have any signs of
eye infection.
Possible Symptoms
Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by a microscopic
amoeba that is relatively common in the environment,
according to the CDC. Most people will be exposed to
Acanthamoeba during their lifetime and not get sick.
However, Acanthamoeba is capable of causing several
infections in humans.
The symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis can be very
similar to those of other, more common eye infections and
may include eye pain or redness, blurred vision, light
sensitivity, sensation of something in the eye, or
excessive tearing. But Acanthamoeba keratitis is harder to
treat.
Acanthamoeba keratitis, which mainly affects healthy
contact lens wearers, may lead to vision loss, with some
patients requiring a corneal transplant. Early treatment
is important for effective treatment.
The recall stems from CDC interviews of 46 people who
developed Acanthamoeba keratitis since 2005. Those
patients included 39 contact lens wearers, 21 of whom
reported any use of Complete MoisturePlus multipurpose
cleaning solution in the month before their symptoms
started.
The CDC estimates that of the patients interviewed, the
risk of developing Acanthamoeba keratitis was seven times
greater for users of Complete MoisturePlus multipurpose
solution than those who didn't use that product.
Advanced Medical Optics states that it is "fully
cooperating with the CDC and FDA" and issued the recall "out
of an abundance of caution."
In an FDA news release, the FDA's Daniel Schultz, MD,
says the FDA believes that the company "acted responsibly"
in issuing the recall.
Schultz directs the FDA's Center for Devices and
Radiological Health.
10 Tips for Contact Lens Wearers
Here are 10 tips from the CDC to help contact lens
wearers reduce their risk for eye infections:
- Visit your eye care provider for regular eye exams.
- Wear and replace contact lenses according to the
schedule prescribed by your eye care provider.
- Remove contact lenses before any activity involving
contact with water, including showering, using a hot tub,
or swimming.
- Wash hands with soap and water. Dry your hands
before handling contact lenses.
- Clean contact lenses according to the manufacturer's
guidelines and instructions from your eye care provider.
- Use fresh cleaning or disinfecting solution each
time lenses are cleaned and stored. Never reuse or top
off old solution.
- Never use saline solution and rewetting drops to
disinfect lenses. Neither product is an effective or
approved disinfectant.
- Store reusable lenses in the proper storage case.
- Rinse storage cases with sterile contact lens
solution (never use tap water) and leave open to dry
after each use.
- Replace storage cases at least once every three
months.
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