Soft Contact Lens Wearers Need to be Concerned by Serious Eye Fungus

Archives Admin · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 01:04 PM

Dr. Kari Miller, optometrist at Crookston Eye Clinic, said Thursday that soft contact lens wearers should be concerned about increased reports of a serious eye fungus known as Fusarium keratitis. But she stressed that the number of reported cases in the United States, 109 as of April 9, is still relatively small. The estimated 30 million soft contact lens wearers simply need to use common sense, take proper precautions and, most importantly, use proper care when cleaning, wearing and storing their lenses.

Much of the heightened concern centers on a brand of contact lens solution, ReNu with MoistureLoc, distributed by Bausch & Lomb. The company, according to an April 11 news release from the American Optometric Association (AOA), voluntarily suspended shipment of the contact lens solution on April 10 on the heels of warnings issued by both the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC and public health authorities are currently investigating the 109 reported cases in 17 states. Thirty of those patients had been interviewed by April 9, and 28 of them wear soft contact lenses. Of the 28, 26 reported using ReNu lens solution.

AOA describes Fusarium keratitis as a severe, potentially sight-threatening corneal fungal infection.

"Patients should be concerned but not alarmed, as the number of patients affected is still relatively small," said Arthur Epstein, O.D., chair of the Contact Lens and Cornea Section of the AOA and a nationally recognized expert on contact lens complications. "However, this is a serious infection that can cause permanent loss of sight. Some patients have reported a significant loss of vision and have undergone corneal transplants. With recent increases in confirmed cases and cases being investigated, it is crucial that the public and eye care professionals are aware and remain vigilant to quickly diagnose and initiate treatment of this serious eye disease."

A similar increase in reported cases occurred in Asia in February, according to the AOA. After 39 cases of Fusarium keratitis were reported in Singapore and Hong Kong, Bausch & Lomb voluntarily withdrew sales of ReNu in those countries.

"It is important that contact lens users seek proper medical attention immediately if they notice changes to their eyes or vision," Dr. Epstein said.

Dr. Miller, a member of the AOA, urges anyone who experiences the following symptoms to contact their optometrist immediately:

# Sudden blurred or fuzzy vision

# Red and irritated eyes lasting for an unusually long period of time

# Pain in and around the eyes

# Increased sensitivity to light

# Excessive eye tearing

In addition, regardless of which cleaning/disinfecting solution consumers use, contact lens wearers should take extra precautions with lens hygiene habits. According to the AOA, clean and safe handling of contact lenses is one of the most important measures Americans can take to protect their sight.

Following are the top six recommendations for clean and safe contact lenses

1. Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses.

2. Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your optometrist. If recommended, rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient multi-purpose solution to completely cover the lens.

3. Store lenses in the proper lens storage case and replace the case every three months. Clean the case after each use, and keep it open and dry between cleanings.

4. Use only products recommended by your optometrist to clean and disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not designed to disinfect lenses.

5. Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses. Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, even if the lenses are not used daily.

6. Always replace old contacts when you get a new contact lens prescription.

When wearing or cleaning contacts:

# Never put contact lenses in the mouth or moisten them with saliva, which is full of bacteria and a potential source of infection.

# Don't use tap water or homemade saline solutions. Improper use of solutions has been linked to a potentially blinding condition among soft lens wearers.

# Never use contacts that have not been prescribed by an eye doctor. Contact lens wear is not an option for everyone; consult with an optometrist to see if contact lenses are an appropriate choice for vision correction.

Soft contact lens wearers need to be concerned by serious eye fungus, local optometrist says

Dr. Kari Miller, optometrist at Crookston Eye Clinic, said Thursday that soft contact lens wearers should be concerned about increased reports of a serious eye fungus known as Fusarium keratitis. But she stressed that the number of reported cases in the United States, 109 as of April 9, is still relatively small. The estimated 30 million soft contact lens wearers simply need to use common sense, take proper precautions and, most importantly, use proper care when cleaning, wearing and storing their lenses.

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Soft Contact Lens Wearers Need to be Concerned by Serious Eye Fungus

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