Contact Solution Recall Lawyers

Basic Overview of Acanthamoeba Keratitis

The term keratitis refers to an infection and inflammation of the cornea, the transparent part of the eye which includes the iris and pupil and is responsible for managing and focusing the light which enters the eye. Keratitis is often painful, and may also cause blurry vision, sensitivity to light, and, in severe cases, blindness.

Keratitis can be caused by several factors, and can occur in different degrees of severity. Acanthamoeba keratitis is caused by a microorganism called Acanthamoeba, a tiny parasite found in water. Acanthamoeba is highly dangerous; even patients who receive adequate treatment sometimes develop severe corneal scarring and wind up needing corneal transplants to maintain their sight. Clearly, Acanthamoeba keratitis is something to avoid at all costs.

In the United States, Acanthamoeba keratitis is almost always found in people who wear contact lenses. Several factors contribute to this correlation. First, the thin, moist space between the contact lens and the eye provides a perfect environment for Acanthamoeba to thrive. Second, contact lenses reduce the amount of air reaching the eye, thus diminishing the eye’s ability to defend itself against infection.

In 2007, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Center for Disease Control (CDC) issued warnings regarding the Complete Moisture Plus contact lens solution produced by California-based Advanced Medical Optics Corp. (AMO). A startling number of Acanthamoeba keratitis cases had been discovered among users of this particular brand of contact lens solution, prompting the company to issue a recall. Other studies showed that users of Complete Moisture Plus were some 7 times more likely to develop Acanthamoeba keratitis than users of other products.

If you have used AMO’s Complete Moisture Plus contact lens solution in the past, you may be at risk for Acanthamoeba keratitis. If this describes you, or if you have already developed symptoms of Acanthamoeba keratitis, call 800-220-9341 to set up a free consultation with a contact solution recall lawyer from Williams Kherkher today.