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Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution Tied To Rare Eye Infection |
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Written by Theresa Maher
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Monday, 28 May 2007 |
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Federal health authorities have linked Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution to a rare, but potentially serious eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis. Following an investigation by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Advanced Medical Optics, which manufacturers the solution, has voluntarily recalled the same.
Acanthamoeba keratitis is an infection of the eye caused by a parasite. Usually this infection occurs when patients have sustained corneal trauma as in contact lens wearers. The parasite also invades the cornea if patients swim while wearing their contact lenses. Other causes of the infection include contaminated contact lens solution as well as using homemade solutions to store and clean the lenses. Poor contact lens hygiene has also been linked to the infection.
Acanthamoeba keratitis usually causes severe pain.,, redness of the eyes and minimal discharge. The infection usually affects healthy people who wear contact lenses. It is linked to blindness and may even require a corneal transplant as a treatment option.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that as of Thursday it had identified 138 "culture-confirmed" cases of the eye infection. The agency also interviewed some 46 patients. Among the confirmed cases, around 36 patients wore soft contact lenses, 21 used the AMO product a month ago and 14 patients used only Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution to clean and store their contact lenses.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a safety alert that consumers must stop using the solution and throw away all unused and partially used bottles. Additionally the FDA also asked users to replace their lenses and lens storage container.
Consumers who suspect they have contacted the infection must consult their doctor immediately for prompt treatment. Early diagnosis and aggressive surgical treatment are the normal course followed in people diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis. Conventional treatment methods include administration of multiple antibiotics including antifungal drugs. In some cases patients may require hospitalization and experience severe loss of vision.
Advanced Medical Optics confirmed it decided to initiate a voluntary recall because of the CDC findings. However the New York Times reports that the company is not sure how many people are actually infected.
“There is no evidence to suggest that the voluntary recall is related to a product contamination issue and this does not impact any of AMO’s other contact lens care products," it said in a statement.
An estimated 30 million people in the United States use soft contact lenses and although the number of cases reported thus far is in a low range, federal authorities do not want to take any chances.
The Food and Drug Administration has issued the following guidelines for all contact lens users to follow so as to prevent eye infections:
* Remove contact lenses before any activity involving contact with water, including showering, using a hot tub, or swimming.
* Wash hands with soap and water and dry them before handling contact lenses.
* Clean contact lenses according to manufacturer guidelines and instructions from an eye care professional.
* 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 solution is an effective or approved disinfectant.
* Schedule regular eye exams with your eye care professional
* Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye care professional.
* Store lenses in a proper storage case.
* Storage cases should be irrigated with sterile contact lens solution (never use tap water) and left open to dry after each use.
* Replace storage cases at least once every three months.
Consumers who believe they are in possession of the recalled product may call the company at 1-888-899-9183.
Additional information about Acanthamoeba infection is available from the CDC website at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/acanthamoeba/index.htm.
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