Better Contact Lens Safety on Agenda for FDA
About three years ago, ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution was linked to a medical condition called Fusarium Keratitis. It is an infection in the eye that is very serious and potentially blinding.
The contact lens solution was recalled from the U.S. in April of 2006 after about 180 cases of Fusarium Keratitis were confirmed.
Other contact contact lens solutions have also been recalled in the past. Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) sold Complete MoisturePlus solution in 2007. The solution was linked to 21 cases of infections and the company recalled the product.
Now, the Food and Drug Administration ( FDA) is trying to make the public more aware of the safety precautions that should be taken when dealing with contact lenses. Earlier this year, they hosted a workshop called “Microbiological Testing of Contact Lens Care Products,” to make a method to test contact lenses and solutions.
There was also a meeting in June 2008 where recommendations were made for the labeling of contact products. In addition to the expiration date, companies had to also put a discard date on the bottles of solution. This date is when the bottle should be thrown away after being opened.
The FDA sent out letters to solution manufacturers who added an option of cleaning lenses without rubbing. The letter stated that there is an improvement in safety when the lenses are rubbed and rinsed instead of just rinsing alone.
Along with the letter, the FDA has made a new video on contact lens safety. The video can be seen of the FDA website. Some main points in the video are completely emptying the contact lens case after each use, using the rub and rinse method, use a contact lens solution to clean, rinse, and then air dry contact lens cases after each use, and do not expose contact lenses or lens storage cases to any type of water of non-sterile solution.