Dangerous Contact
Lens Solution Pulled from Stores
May 25, 2007 — The Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention (CDC) issues a Health Advisory warning
consumers of a serious eye infection called Acanthamoeba keratitis
(AK) that is
associated with use of AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Multi-Purpose
contact lens solution. Source:
CDC
Web Site
On this Page:
 The makers of AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Multi-Purpose
Solution withdrew
their contact lens solution from the market on May 27, 2007,
because of links to a potentially
blinding eye infection. The product, made by Advanced
Medical Optics of Santa Ana, California, is used to clean and
store soft contact lenses. Users of the product were advised
by federal officials to stop using the product immediately.
If
you think you have developed an eye infection as a result of
using AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Multi-Purpose
Solution,
the experienced attorneys of Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff
can help. Please contact
us for
a free case evaluation.
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Acanthamoeba Keratitis Infection
Acanthamoeba Keratitis is an inflammation
of the cornea (a
membrane that surrounds and protects the eye). The infection
is caused by the Acanthamoeba parasite. It can
be very difficult for doctors to identify and treat. Frequently,
the infection is mistaken for a different condition (herpes simplex),
which is treatable with certain drugs.
Unfortunately, the Acanthamoeba
Keratitis infection does not respond to these drugs, and is much
more difficult to treat.
Treatment may include such extreme
measures as corneal transplant surgery or removal of the infected
eye. One eye doctor at New York University Medical
Center is of the opinion that about half of the infected patients
will need corneal transplants eventually.
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An Alarming Outbreak
of Eye Infections
Acanthamoeba Keratitis usually infects
people who wear contact lenses. Doctors at the federal Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, have
confirmed 138 cases
of Acanthamoeba Keratitis infection in the U.S. since
January 2005.
To date, they have interviewed 46 of
the 138 patients. Of the 46 patients, 39 patients (85%) wore soft
contact lenses, 3 patients (7%) wore rigid contact
lenses, and 4 patients (9%) did not report contact
lens use.
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Symptoms of Acanthamoeba Keratitis
People
who have used AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Multi-Purpose
Solution should stop
using the product immediately and see an eye doctor, especially
if they experience any of the following symptoms:
- Eye pain or
redness
- Blurred vision
- Sensitivity to light
- Feeling as if something
is in the eye
- Excessive tears
These symptoms, which resemble other
eye problems, should be taken very seriously. The symptoms may
last for varying periods of time, from weeks, to months, and
can lead to vision loss or permanent vision impairment.
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Other
Contact Lens Solution Infections
In 2006, the U.S. experienced an outbreak
of a different but equally dangerous eye infection, Fusarium
Kerititis, linked to another contact lens solution, Bausch & Lomb
ReNu MoistureLoc®. The Federal Drug Administration
(FDA) reported that ReNu solution was involved in 26 out of 30
investigated eye infection cases. In many cases, treatment included
corneal transplant surgery.
The attorneys
of Kershaw, Cutter and Ratinoff can
help you if you think you have developed a Fusarium
Kerititis infection caused by ReNu MoistureLoc®. Contact
us for
a free case evaluation.
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Save the Evidence!
 If
you think you have suffered an eye infection related to AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Multi-Purpose Solution or Bausch & Lomb
ReNu MoistureLoc® contact lens solution, it is important
to save the proof that you have used the product.
Immediately
stop using the contact lens solution, your current contact lenses,
and your current storage cases. Seal in several plastic bags:
- All
partly used or unopened bottles
- Your current contact lenses
- Any lens
storage cases
- Place the plastic bag in a cool,
dark place, such as a closet
- Avoid further contamination by
making sure that the product will not be touched or used by
anyone else
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Contact Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff
If
you think you have developed an eye infection as a result of
using AMO Complete® MoisturePlus™ Multi-Purpose
Solution,
the experienced attorneys of Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff
can help. Please contact
us for
a free case evaluation.
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