Contact Solutions Caused Worry Among Wearers Everywhere
A worldwide recall, issued by Bausch & Lomb two months ago, for a new multipurpose contact-lens solution linked to major fusarium fungal eye infections has caused worry among wearers everywhere. A front-page article in The Wall Street Journal trumpeting the problem didn't exactly ease fears either.
But while doctors say fusarium is serious and can include symptoms of blurry vision, pain or redness of eye, sensitivity to light and even blindness, they also say that the problem is getting overblown and that the chances of contracting it are slim.
More serious, they say, is that patients aren't regularly communicating with their doctors about the products they are using and often select solutions that are compatible with their lenses. And this, as well as ignorance of simple hygiene rules, is causing far more eye problems than run-ins with an exotic fungus.
The other problem is that many of the 30 million Americans whom the American Optometric Association (AOA) says are wearing contact lenses aren't properly caring for them.
Dr. Jack Schaeffer, an optometrist in Birmingham, Ala., and chairman of the AOA Contact Lenses and Cornea Section, says that proper care of contact lenses is fairly simple, which is why patients should be diligent. Almost everyone with contacts knows these rules, but they're often not followed, leading to eye problems:
–Always wash your hands before handling contact lenses.
–Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses. Rub the contact lenses with fingers and rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses overnight in sufficient multipurpose solution to completely cover the lens.
–Store lenses in the proper lens storage case and replace the case every three months. Clean the case after each use, and keep it open and dry between cleanings.
–Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses. Never reuse old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed according to the manufacturer's recommendations, even if the lenses are not used daily.
–Replace your lenses on schedule as directed by your optometrist.
Patients who follow these steps shouldn't experience problems with their lenses, but if they do, doctors say, do not wear them. If the lenses still feel uncomfortable after about 12 to 24 hours, see a doctor as soon as possible–eye infections might be rare, but they are dangerous.
Filed under Contact Lens, Eye Treatment
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