Update: Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution Causing Acanthamoeba Keratitis

Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution, manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics, is used for cleaning and storage purposes for soft contact lenses. The solution recently has been found by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to cause a seven-fold increase in a rare eye infection, Acanthamoeba keratitis, affecting those who use it. The infection is very serious and can lead to blindness or corneal infections in those who are exposed to the bacteria.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) this year began receiving numerous complaints about outbreaks of Acanthamoeba keratitis, an infection caused by microscopic parasites that literally infest the human eye.

In evaluating the Acanthamoeba keratitis outbreak, the CDC identified 138 confirmed cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis in the United States, with complete data available for 46 case-patients. Thirty-nine of the 46 case-patients wore soft contact lenses. Among the soft contact lens users 58% reported having used Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) Complete MoisturePlus Multi-Purpose Solution in the month prior to manifestation of symptoms. CDC released a Health Advisory through its Health Alert Network on May 25 of this year, informing contact lens wearers that they should discard all Moisture Plus solution and any lenses or lens cases that came in contact with Moisture Plus lens solution.

If not controlled in time, the infection can permanently blind its victim by scarring or tearing the cornea, which is responsible for about 80 percent of a person's vision. Such victims will need a cornea transplant if they are to ever see clearly again. This is an extremely dangerous infection. If you haven't stopped using Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution then do so immediately. This is the second major eye infection outbreak after Fusarium Keratitis last year.

According to CDC users of MoisturePlus should:

1. stop using the product immediately and contact the company at 1-888-899-9183 or on the web at http://www.amo-inc.com for instructions on what to do with unused solution;
2. discard all soft contact lenses used with AMOCMP;
3. discard all contact lens storage cases used with AMOCMP; and
4. consult their eye care provider about choosing an alternative contact lens solution.

Furthermore, they should visit their eye care provider if they experience any signs of eye infection, including eye pain or redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, sensation of something in the eye, or excessive tearing.

This is the second major outbreak of rare fungal infection after Fusarium Keratitis which is caused by contact lens solutions. Is it merely a coincidence? I think the safety regulation compliance of factories of contact lens cleaner solution manufacturers like Bausch & Lomb and Advanced Medical Optics are not being properly monitored. Should be regulations be more stringent or the enforcement? I think the enforcement may be at lapse here.

There are several ongoing lawsuits against AMO with some seeking class action status. We will keep you updated.

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AMO Will Begin Shipping Contact Lens Solution After Acanthamoeba Keratitis Outbreak

Advanced Medical Optics Inc. said that it plans to begin shipping a new multipurpose contact lens solution in the first half of next month, returning to the market after recalling its Complete MoisturePlus contact lens solution in May due to significantly increased risk for severe eye infection - Acanthamoeba Keratitis, which can completely damage the cornea requiring corneal transplant.

AMO said its new product would provide effective disinfection and comfort to users. AMO plans to make the new solution widely available to consumers in the United States by early September.

On May 27, AMO recalled Complete MoisturePlus after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) interviewed 46 patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious cornea infection, and found that of the 39 who wore soft contact lenses, 21 used Complete MoisturePlus.

The most recent recall followed AMO's November recall of almost 3 million units of Complete MoisturePlus solution due to sterility problems.

What consumers would like most from AMO is concrete assurances that the current product will be free from the risk of eye infections and exactly what steps they have taken to rectify the problem.

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