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Contact Lens Solution Problems

The Food and Drug Administration announced a review of 109 cases of suspected fungal keratitis that could be linked to a popular Bausch & Lomb contact-lens solution, ReNu with MoistureLoc.

Fungal keratitis affects the cornea and can cause a serious loss of vision or even blindness if left untreated, says Christine Sindt, an optometrist at the University of Iowa Hospital and a member of the American Optometric Association's Contact Lens & Cornea Section Council.

"Fungal keratitis is extremely rare," Sindt says, noting most keratitis, or infection cases, are caused by bacteria. Contact-lens wearers who're experiencing symptoms such as serious eye pain, sensitivity to light, persistent tearing and persistent red eyes should contact an optometrist, she says.

Discerning fungal keratitis from bacterial keratitis, which is easily treated with antibiotics, can take up to two weeks, Sindt says.

FDA Public Health Notice: http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/News/2006/0411-contactlenssol.htm

Bausch and Lomb News Releases: http://www.bausch.com/us/vision/about/news/pressrelease.jsp?pressRelease=2006_4_10_reports.html