US Tests Contact Lens Fluid

Archives Admin · #1 (**permalink**) 04-20-2006, 12:37 PM

Pharmaceutical agent Smith Robertson and Co Ltd has taken the “precaution” to withdraw Moisture-Loc contact lens fluid from the local market until tests are completed by the US Federal Drug Agency (FDA) and Centres for Disease Control (CDC) to determine what caused a group of people using the contact lens fluid to develop microbial keratitis, a fungal infection.

Smith Robertson is the local agent for Moisture Loc’s manufacturer, Bausch and Lomb, which has not recalled the popular contact lens fluid but suspended shipments in the US.

US pharmacies Rite-Aid, Walgreens and Walmart have pulled the product from their shelves.

Smith Robertson’s marketing director Michele Stagg said Bausch and Lomb sent out press releases advising that testing was taking place and that supplies of Moisture Loc had been stopped.

“To avoid any confusion,” she said a stop has also been put on the sale of the product by retailers. Stagg said Smith Robertson has asked retailers to remove the product from their shelves.

While all the tests done so far have found that the infection was not directly linked to the Bausch and Lomb product, Stagg said, the product will not “We hope by next week it will be sorted out but no time line has been given by Bausch and Lomb.”

She said only the Moisture-Loc has been stopped and people can continue using the ReNu Moisture Plus or Multi Purpose contact lens cleaners.

Nigel St Rose, president of the TT Optometrists Association, said people using contact lenses should observe proper hygiene.

He said hands should be clean, and lenses rinsed and rubbed before putting them to soak overnight.

Bausch and Lomb has been sending out e-mails to eye care professionals alerting them of the situation.

It has said that the FDA and CDC have emphasised no causal relationship between Moisture-Loc and the incidences of fungal keratitis.

There has been an outbreak of Fusarium keratitis, a rare eye fungus in 109 people in 17 states in the US.

Symptoms of the condition are: redness, pain, tearing, blurred vision, discharge, swelling and increased sensitivity to light. People with these symptoms are advised to seek medical attention.

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US Tests Contact Lens Fluid

Contact Lenses