A voluntary recall on a brand of contact lens solution could effect Emporia area contact users.
Advanced Medical Optics, maker of Complete MoisturePlus, which is dispensed in Emporia, is voluntarily recalling the product after the Centers for Disease Control found a link between the product and an eye infection, acanthamoeba, a naturally occurring water-borne organism which can contribute to corneal infections. The company reported the CDC interviewed 49 patients who have developed the eye infection since January 2005. A total of 39 of those patients were soft contact lens wearers; 21 reported using Complete MoisturePlus products. The CDC estimated the risk is seven times greater for those who used the product than those who did not.
In a press release, the company stated that they are stopping shipments of the product, recalling it from the marketplace and encouraging customers to stop using the product until further information is available.
“Given the potential seriousness of the reported acanthamoeba infections, AMO is working in close partnership with the CDC, the FDA and others to make sure consumers are aware of the need for proper contact lens disinfecting and proper lens handling,” the press release stated.
Teresa Kiefer, manager of the Vision Center located inside the Emporia Wal-Mart, said they usually give out samples of the product. As soon as they receive word of a recall, they pull the product from their shelves.
“We didn’t have any on our shelves,” Kiefer said. “But as soon as we get anything from our home office, we pull it from our shelves.”
The company told The Associated Press today that it stands by its product, blaming improper handling of contact lenses for the eye infections that forced the product to be pulled from the shelves.
“What we’re trying to handle right now ... is what the CDC hit us with,” said James Mazzo, president and chief executive officer of the Santa Ana, Calif.-based company.
“It’s not a manufacturing problem or a contamination issue,” said Mazzo, who added that the infection, also called “AK,” affects people who improperly handle contact lenses, such as disinfecting them with water or wearing them while swimming or showering.
“AK is something the vast majority of contact lens users typically avoid by following their eye practitioner’s advice,” Mazzo said. “All of our products ... have always met and continue to meet FDA requirements. Moisture Plus does what it is required to do.”
Symptoms of acanthamoeba include eye pain, eye redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, sensation of something burning in the eye and excessive tearing. The symptoms vary between individuals and could last for several weeks to months. Early in the infection, symptoms of the infection can be similar to the symptoms of more common eye infections and may cause severe pain and possible vision loss with some patients requiring a corneal transplant if left untreated.
Kiefer said they have not had any customers come into the office that have had eye infections. She said this is not the first time a contact lens solution has been recalled.
“We are just doing it as a safety recall,” she said. “It’s kinda scary when different brands are being recalled. The only one we haven’t heard from is OptiFree.”
Kiefer said users of Complete MoisturePlus are being offered recommendations for alternative brands. Users of a recalled brand should throw away disposable lenses soaked in the recalled solution as well as the cases, Kiefer said.
“I would throw them away,” she said. “It would probably contaminate the case.”
AMO is asking contact lens users who have the recalled product to discontinue use immediately and call (888) 899-9183. Retailers also may use that number.
Adverse reactions experienced by customers may report to AMO by calling (800) 347-5005 and to FDA’s MedWatch Program at (800) FDA-1088, by fax at (800) FDA-0178 or by mail at MedWatch, HF-2, FDA, 5600 Fishers Lane, Rockville, MD, 20852-9787, or on the MedWatch Web site at www.fda.gov/medwatch.