May 30, 2007
Health Officials Warn Contact Lens Wearers
State health officials warned Montana contact lens wearers Wednesday to be on the lookout for a specific cleaning and storage solution that has been linked to a nationwide outbreak of a rare but serious eye infection.
Since January 2005, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have received reports of 138 cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) in 35 states, including Montana. Many of the patients reported using Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) Complete MoisturePlus Multi-Purpose Solution in the month prior to symptom onset. The manufacturer recently issued an immediate recall of the product, which is used to clean and store soft contact lenses.
"Montanans who wear soft contact lens should check their cupboards to see if they have any of this product on hand," said Janet Stetzer, supervisor of the Food and Consumer Safety Program of the Department of Public Health and Human Services. "This cleaning solution was distributed nationwide, and we want to make sure Montanans are aware of this risk."
Todd Damrow, state epidemiologist with DPHHS, said he is aware of two reported cases of AK in Montana since the outbreak began.
Stetzer said anyone who has the AMO lens solution should:
- Stop using it immediately and discard it, including partially used and unopened bottles.
- Discard their current lens storage container.
- Discard their current pair of soft contact lenses.
- See a health-care provider if they experience any signs of eye infection, including pain, redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, a sensation of something in the eye, or excessive eye-watering.
AK is caused by a microscopic organism found everywhere in nature. Infections are painful and can cause permanent vision loss or blindness. AK primarily affects otherwise healthy people, most of whom wear contact lenses. However, the infection is rare, affecting only one or two of every 1 million contact lens users a year, according to the CDC.
For more information, visit the CDC website at: http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dpd/parasites/acanthamoeba/
Stetzer noted that all contact lens wearers should take steps to help prevent eye infections, including:
- See an eye-care professional for regular eye exams.
- Wear and replace contact lenses according to the schedule prescribed by an eye-care professional.
- Remove contact lenses before any activity involving contact with water, such as showering, swimming, or using a hot tub.
- Wash hands with soap and water and dry before handling contact lenses.
- Clean contact lenses according to the manufacturer's guidelines and instructions from an eye-care professional.
- Use fresh cleaning or disinfecting solution each time lenses are cleaned and stored. Never reuse old solution.
- Never use saline solution or rewetting drops to disinfect lenses.
- Store reusable lenses in the proper storage case.
- Rinse storage cases with sterile contact lens solution (never tap water) and leave open to dry after each use.
- Replace storage cases at least once every three months.
