May 25, 2007 / A recall of Complete MoisturePlus contact lens
cleaner solution has been ordered by Advanced Medical Optics
Inc. (AMO) and the manufacturer is calling on consumers to immediately
stop using the contact lens cleaner after data showed a higher risk
of eye infections.
The announcement late Friday followed AMO recall of the same product
last year because of bacterial contamination, and a recall by rival
Bausch & Lomb Inc. after its
ReNu contact lens solution was recalled after being linked to
infections.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention interviewed
46 patients with Acanthamoeba keratitis, a rare but serious cornea
infection, and found that of the 39 who wore soft contact lenses,
21 used Complete MoisturePlus.
The CDC estimated that risk of infection was at least seven times
greater among users of the Complete MoisturePlus solution compared
with those who were not, the company said.
"As patient safety is paramount to AMO, the company is taking decisive
action to stop shipments, recall product from the marketplace and
encourage consumers to discontinue the use of AMO Complete MoisturePlus
until further information is available," the Santa Ana-based company
said.
AMO said there was no evidence to suggest that the recall was related
to a product contamination issue.
The company did not give an outlook for the financial repercussions
of recalling the product, one of its top-selling items.
Last November, it recalled almost 3 million units of the Complete
MoisturePlus solution because of sterility problems and lowered
its earnings forecast.
AMO is asking Complete MoisturePlus user to call toll free 1-888-899-9183
for more information. Additional details at
Complete
MoisturePlus recall.
