Important Safety Alerts

Important Safety Alerts

Update on advice for prevention of fungal corneal infections

24 Apr 2006

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health today (April 24) provides updates on cases of fungal corneal infections and advice on prevention.

In Hong Kong a total of 27 cases were reported to the CHP since the infection was firstly reported in May 2005. Of the 27 patients, 26 were interviewed and 25 of them claimed that they were users of Bausch and Lomb (B&L) ReNu multipurpose contact lens solution. The manufacturer has voluntarily suspended sales of the contact lens solution in question from the local market since February this year as a prudent measure to protect consumers. In a recent development, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) updated its recommendation and advise contact lens wearers to stop using B&L Renu with MoistureLoc products, discard all remaining solution including partially used or opened bottles. The Department of Health echoes FDA's updated recommendation and reiterates that further investigations are needed to identify the cause of the problem. "We are maintaining close communication with the health authorities in US and Singapore to help determine the contributing factors and products that place contact lens users at risk for the infection," the spokesman said. The spokesman reminded contact lens users to observe the following measures to prevent contact lens associated infection:

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