Investigation Continues into Cause of Rare Eye Infections

SAN FRANCISCO—Consumers are being told not to use Bausch & Lomb ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution while investigations continue into the increase in reported cases of Fusarium keratitis. The company made this recommendation April 13, as it also instructed stores to remove the product from shelves.

Fusarium keratitis is a rare but serious fungal infection that can cause permanent vision loss if left untreated. More than 100 cases of this infection have been reported in the United States in the last 10 months, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). An outbreak of fungal keratitis has also been reported in Asia, including 75 cases in Singapore between November 2004 and April 2006. The Singapore Ministry of Health is recommending that consumers stop using all ReNu brand multipurpose contact solutions for the time being.

“The wearing of contact lenses is generally very safe, but this outbreak of infections is certainly something to be concerned about,” said H.Dunbar Hoskins, MD, executive vice president of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. “Ophthalmologists across the country are sending in reports to help with the investigation, while at the same time making sure our patients who wear contact lenses are aware and informed.”

The CDC has not reached any definitive conclusions yet about the source of the infections. Ophthalmologists from the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute at the University of Miami School of Medicine and the Wilmer Eye Institute at Johns Hopkins are working with the CDC and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the investigation.

In the meantime, the Academy urges anyone who experiences the following symptoms to contact an ophthalmologist immediately:

• Sudden blurred vision
• Unusual redness
• Pain in your eye
• Excessive tearing or discharge from your eye
• Increased light sensitivity

The Academy is also reminding consumers to follow safe practices if you wear contact lenses:

• Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them before handling lenses.
• Wear and replace your lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your doctor.
• Follow instructions from your doctor and your solution manufacturer for cleaning and storing your lenses.
• Make sure you always use fresh solution and replenish the solution daily.
• Keep your contact lens case clean and replace every three to six months.
• Remove the lenses and consult an ophthalmologist immediately if your eyes become red or irritated or your vision changes.

Regardless of what cleaning/disinfecting solution you use, consider performing a “rub and rinse” lens cleaning method rather than a “no-rub” method in order to minimize the number of germs to reduce the chances of infection.