Rare Infection May Put Soft Contact Lens Wearers at Risk
Update on fungal keratitis, April 13, 2006
Bausch & Lomb is now advising consumers not to use its ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution while investigations continue into the recent increase in reported cases of fungal keratitis. The company has also asked retailers to temporarily pull the product from store shelves. This follows the April 10 announcement that product shipments were suspended.
San Francisco—People who wear soft contact lenses may be at increased risk for a rare but serious eye infection. Known as Fusarium keratitis, the infection could cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. More than 100 people in the US have been diagnosed in the last 10 months with this condition. Eight required corneal transplants.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology is working closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), who issued a report April 10 about 109 cases of suspected infection reported in 17 states. The FDA has issued a public health notification regarding fungal keratitis among soft contact lens wearers.
The CDC has interviewed 30 people—28 wore soft contact lenses, and 26 of those remembered using Bausch & Lomb Renu brand contact lens solution in the month before the infection. Bausch & Lomb announced April 10 that it is stopping U.S. shipments of its ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution as the investigation continues.
According to the FDA, soft contact lens wearers who have existing supplies of ReNu with MoistureLoc should use the product with caution and report any signs or symptoms of eye infection to their physician.