Alarm Raised for Contact Lens Wearers

The use of a Bausch & Lomb Inc's brand cleansing solution has been linked to a severe corneal fungal infection, which if left untreated can cause blindness. Optometry doctors in the U.S have urged contact lens wearers to take proper precautions to prevent this.

Bausch & Lomb Inc. has stopped shipping their ReNu with MoistureLoc brand contact lens solution since Monday following warnings from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about increased reports of the eye infection.

Although the number of patients that have been affected are relatively few in number contact lens wearers must be warned because the infection, fusarium keratitis could cause blindness in the patients if left untreated.

The public as well as eye care professionals must be aware and alert to quickly diagnose and begin treatment of this dangerous eye disease.

Doctors have advised all contact lens wearers to take extra precautions while handling their lenses, regardless of which solution they use. In addition anyone who experiences any of the following symptoms report himself or herself to a doctor immediately.

Pain in and around the eyes;

Red and irritated eyes lasting for an unusually long period of time;

Sudden blurred or fuzzy vision.

Excessive tearing of the eye and increased sensitivity to light.