Recalled Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution Still on Store Shelves, In Homes
Aug 2, 2007 | Parker Waichman Alonso, LLP Recalled Complete MoisturePlus Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution is still on some store shelves, and word of the recall has been slow to reach consumers. As a result, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is concerned that many are still using the product. The contact lens solution, which was manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics, was recalled this past May after it was linked to several severe eye infections.In May, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) linked four cases of Acanthamoeba Keratitis (AK) to Complete MoisturePlus Contact Lens Solution. AK is a rare, but severe, parasitic eye infection that sometimes plagues soft contact lens users. Generally, the disease only affects 2 out of every one million users, but during its investigation of Complete MoisturePlus, the CDC found that users of the solution were seven times more likely to develop AK. The symptoms of AK are similar to other more common eye infections, and include eye pain or redness, blurred vision, light sensitivity and excessive tearing. However, AK is difficult to treat, and can lead to vision loss, and the need for a corneal transplant.
On Wednesday, the FDA issued a reminder to contact lens users to dispose of any Complete MoisturePlus Multipurpose Contact Lens Solution that might be in their possession. Complete MoisturePlus users were also reminded to replace their contact lenses if they were treated with the solution, and to replace their lens containers as well.
The FDA also demanded that Advanced Medical Optics do more to facilitate the recall. The FDA said that far fewer bottles of Complete MoisturePlus were returned than was expected, and that it had found the solution on the shelves of several stores. The FDA would like to see more advertisements of the recall. Though there was a burst of media attention given to the recall in May, it has since waned. For its part, Advanced Medical Optics said that it had employed a broad based media campaign, including press releases and mailings to doctors, to publicize the recall. The company has no plans to advertise at this time.
The Complete MoisturePlus recall is similar to another recall of contact lens solution in May 2006. At that time, Bausch & Lomb’s Renu with MoistureLoc was linked to an outbreak of Fusarium Keratitis, another rare eye infection that had the potential to cause blindness. The CDC said that those infected with Fusarium Keratitis were 20 time more likely to have used the MoistureLoc solution. The CDC reported that the MoistureLoc contact lens solution appeared to have poor disinfectant qualities.
In the case of the Complete MoisturePlus recall, the FDA is urging anyone with symptoms similar to AK to seek medical attention immediately, especially if they used Complete MoisturePlus recently.