Contact Lens Solution Linked to Eye Infections
Sarah Westen
Issue date: 5/31/07 Section: Sci/Tech
Last weekend, an outbreak of a rare but potentially blinding eye infection led Advanced Medical Optics, a manufacturer of a contact lens cleaning solution, to recall one of its products.
On May 28, The New York Times reported that the outbreak resembles one last year linked to a lens solution by Bausch & Lomb. "It's beyond comprehension," said Dr. Dan B. Jones, the chairman of ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. In both instances the cornea is at risk but why two different microbes linked to products from two different manufacturers caused the outbreaks is not known.
Dr. Jones detected a case of acanthamoeba keratitis on Friday, May 25. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by a parasite, and can be difficult to detect and to treat. Last week's outbreak involved at least 138 patients. Last year, an outbreak of fusarium keratitis, caused by a fungus, was linked to Bausch & Lomb's product ReNu With MositureLoc; there were 164 confirmed cases.
Epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention link the current outbreak to AMO Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution. The New York Times reported that the manufacturers of the product, Advanced Medical Optics in Santa Ana, California said "there was no evidence to suggest that its product was contaminated with acanthamoeba" and the decision to withdraw the product was merely a "precaution."
Reporter Lawrence K. Altman of nytimes.com reported that federal officials have advised consumers to stop using the solution and to discard all partly used or unopened bottles effective immediately. People who have used this solution should throw out their current contact lenses and the lens storage cases because they may harbor the parasite.
Officials added those who have used the product should call an eye doctor if eye pain or redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, or a feeling that something is in the eye occurs. The symptoms may resemble other eye infections and can last weeks to months and vary among patients. It is important to see a doctor, particularly to rule out the acanthamoeba infection, which can lead to the need for a corneal transplant or removal of an eye.
On May 28, The New York Times reported that the outbreak resembles one last year linked to a lens solution by Bausch & Lomb. "It's beyond comprehension," said Dr. Dan B. Jones, the chairman of ophthalmology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston. In both instances the cornea is at risk but why two different microbes linked to products from two different manufacturers caused the outbreaks is not known.
Dr. Jones detected a case of acanthamoeba keratitis on Friday, May 25. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by a parasite, and can be difficult to detect and to treat. Last week's outbreak involved at least 138 patients. Last year, an outbreak of fusarium keratitis, caused by a fungus, was linked to Bausch & Lomb's product ReNu With MositureLoc; there were 164 confirmed cases.
Epidemiologists from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention link the current outbreak to AMO Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution. The New York Times reported that the manufacturers of the product, Advanced Medical Optics in Santa Ana, California said "there was no evidence to suggest that its product was contaminated with acanthamoeba" and the decision to withdraw the product was merely a "precaution."
Reporter Lawrence K. Altman of nytimes.com reported that federal officials have advised consumers to stop using the solution and to discard all partly used or unopened bottles effective immediately. People who have used this solution should throw out their current contact lenses and the lens storage cases because they may harbor the parasite.
Officials added those who have used the product should call an eye doctor if eye pain or redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing, or a feeling that something is in the eye occurs. The symptoms may resemble other eye infections and can last weeks to months and vary among patients. It is important to see a doctor, particularly to rule out the acanthamoeba infection, which can lead to the need for a corneal transplant or removal of an eye.
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