Contact Lens Solution Linked to Eye Infections
Sarah Westen
Issue date: 5/31/07 Section: Sci/Tech
Altman reported investigations of the acanthamoeba outbreak are ongoing and being conducted by the disease control agency, the Food and Drug Administration, and state and local health departments around the United States.
Dr. Jones suggested doctors and health officials need to better monitor the occurrence of corneal infections, "Doctors need to be more suspicious about the possibility of such infections because many cases have been initially attributed to the herpes simplex virus or other microbes, which respond to drugs that do not help patients with acanthamoeba."
Researchers do not know how many acanthamoeba are needed to cause an infection or how much of a lens solution may be needed to cause damage. Investigators are looking into the chemicals in the AMO solution, and whether the amoeba could bind more readily to newer generation silicone lenses, or whether something about certain kinds of contact lenses, or the length of their use, might increase the risk of infection.
Because it has not been proven the AMO product is the cause of the outbreak, investigators are exploring a variety of other possibilities, including whether a change in chlorination practice has led to an increase in the number of acanthamoeba in certain water supplies.
In any event, it is recommended wearers of the AMO Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution discontinue use immediately; and anyone who experiences symptoms (contact lens wearers or not) should see a doctor to prevent possible eye damage.
Dr. Jones suggested doctors and health officials need to better monitor the occurrence of corneal infections, "Doctors need to be more suspicious about the possibility of such infections because many cases have been initially attributed to the herpes simplex virus or other microbes, which respond to drugs that do not help patients with acanthamoeba."
Researchers do not know how many acanthamoeba are needed to cause an infection or how much of a lens solution may be needed to cause damage. Investigators are looking into the chemicals in the AMO solution, and whether the amoeba could bind more readily to newer generation silicone lenses, or whether something about certain kinds of contact lenses, or the length of their use, might increase the risk of infection.
Because it has not been proven the AMO product is the cause of the outbreak, investigators are exploring a variety of other possibilities, including whether a change in chlorination practice has led to an increase in the number of acanthamoeba in certain water supplies.
In any event, it is recommended wearers of the AMO Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution discontinue use immediately; and anyone who experiences symptoms (contact lens wearers or not) should see a doctor to prevent possible eye damage.
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