Contact lens solution linked to infections

[Al-khiyal]

ATLANTA, May 25, 2007: U.S. government officials are warning the public to throw away a certain brand of contact lens solution, saying an investigation has linked it to a rare eye infection in dozens of people.

The warning concerns AMO Complete Moisture Plus-No Rub, a multi-purpose solution for cleaning and storing contact lenses, said a spokeswoman for the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The solution seems to be a factor in dozens of cases in the last year of Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection of the eye that typically occurs in healthy persons and can result in permanent vision loss or blindness.

The solution is made by Advanced Medical Optics Inc., a publicly traded company based in Santa Ana, California. A message left with a company spokesman was not immediately returned.

An estimated 85 percent of U.S. cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis occur in contact lens users, but it is extremely unusual: The incidence is just one to two cases per million contact lens users, CDC officials said.

Contact lens wearers who practice proper lens care and non-contact lens wearers can still develop the infection.

The government's investigation began in 2004, when a University of Illinois-Chicago ophthalmologist noticed more than a dozen cases of the infection. Normally, he might see only one or two in a year, a UIC spokeswoman said.

The cases were reported to the Illinois state health department, which notified the CDC. A CDC investigation in about 35 states led to Friday's announcement.

U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention links contact lens solution to infections

[Bent_Bladi]

OH MY ALLAH!!! That's the one my sister uses!!!

[amalgamate]

oh oh, she'd better get an alternative C L solution! check out the CVS brands

[Bent_Bladi]

wait a second - i just checked the bottle... she uses the Kirkland brand... I know Kirkland does imitations and sells them for cheaper - i wonder if it's imitating this AMO brand........

CVS it is then... . You still there?

[amalgamate]

Imitations are not a factor in deciding whether the solution will be contaminated or not. it's who made the imitation solution. you want to know if the imitating one is made from that same manufacturer. The manufacturer discussed here is Advanced Med Optics Inc and they name their C L solution "AMO Complete Moisture bla bla bla". Kirkland has a different manufacturer, i think she'll be fine with the CL solution she has.

[Cheba_Mami]

all in one solutions are never that great coz they are not desinfective enough. Better are two seperate solution, one being a strong desinfectant.

something extra: it is good to have desinfective soap aroud always for the hands before you take out the contact lenses. in this way extra contamination by your hands is prevented.

[Bent_Bladi]

Thanks!