PRODUCT RECALL (From FDA press release)
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is alerting patients who wear soft contact lenses about a voluntary recall of Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics.
The company is taking this precautionary action because of reports of a rare but serious eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratisis, which is linked to the solution. The infection is caused by a parasite and can lead to permanent vision loss requiring corneal transplants, a surgical procedure to replace the clear outer covering of the eye. Early diagnosis of Acanthamoeba keratitis is important for treatment.
The Centers for Disease Control has found an association between this infection and use of Complete® MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution, although at present nothing suggests that the product is contaminated.
Until more information becomes available, precautions are being taken to protect public health. The manufacturer is recommending patients who wear soft contact lenses should stop using Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution immediately.
Recommendations for users of Complete® MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution:
- Remove your lenses and stop using Complete® MoisturePlus solution immediately.
- Contact AMO at 1-888-899-9183 for instructions on what to do with unused solution.
- Replace your contact lenses and storage case.
- Ask your eye care professional about choosing another appropriate alternative cleaning/disinfecting product.
Additional information about Acanthamoeba infection is available from the CDC at http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/acanthamoeba/index.htm
Safety tips for all contact lens wearers:
Steps Contact lens wearers should follow to help prevent eye infections:
- Schedule regular eye examinations.
- See your eye care professional immediately if you experience symptoms of eye infection such as redness, pain, excessive tearing, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, and/or sensation of something in the eye.
- 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 the manufacturer guidelines and instructions from your eye care professional.
- Use fresh cleaning or disinfecting solution each time lenses are cleaned and stored. Never reuse or top off old solutions.
- Never use saline solution or rewetting drops to disinfect lenses.
- Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your eye care professional.
- Store lenses in their proper storage case.
- Storage cases should be irrigated with sterile contact lenses solution and left open to dry.
- Replace storage cases at least once every three months.
If you have any concerns about your contact lenses, contact your eye care professional.