A popular brand of soft contact lens solution produced by Bausch & Lomb may be linked with an outbreak of a rare but serious fungal infection in the eye, warned the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

More than one hundred cases of Fusarium keratitis had been reported in 17 states of the U.S. by April 9, according to the FDA. Most fully investigated patients said they had used ReNu lens solution.

Fusarium is a poisonous fungus mainly found in rotten woods and fruits. It can hardly cause keratitis unless directly hitting the eye.

But in the reported cases in the United States, Fusarium keratitis has caused symptoms such as redness, pain, tearing, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling with 109 patients.

Some patients have reported significant loss of vision, resulting in the need for a corneal transplant, the FDA said in a statement released in Monday evening.

"This is a serious infection and soft contact lens users should be mindful of the potential to develop this problem," said Daniel Schultz, head of FDA's Center for Devices.

"We're advising consumers to practice good basic hygiene and follow manufacturers' instructions for proper use, cleaning and storage of their lenses, and report any signs of infection to their doctors."

The FDA and U.S. Centers of Disease Control and Prevention are urgently advising consumers to prevent contamination of the soft lenses and the products used to maintain them.

The indicated preventive practices include: washing hands with soap and water, and drying before handling lenses; wearing and replacing lenses according to the schedule prescribed by the doctor; following the lens cleaning and storage guidelines from the doctor and manufacturer; keeping the contact lens case clean and replace every 3-6 months.

By now 30 cases have been fully investigated, said the FDA, 28 patients of them wore soft contact lenses. Twenty-six of the soft contact lens wearers used the ReNu brand contact lens solution during the month prior to the infection.

Five patients reported using other solutions in addition to the ReNu brand, according to the FDA.

"It is important to note that some of the affected patients had used other solutions in addition to the ReNu brand, and that the source of this fungus has not yet been identified," noted Schultz.

Bausch & Lomb has "voluntarily" stopped shipment of the ReNu product while the company began an investigation into the cause of the infections together with the FDA and CDC.

Cases of Fusarium keratitis were also reported among contact lens users in Asia since last November. In February, Bausch & Lomb suspended sales of its ReNu solution in Singapore and Hong Kong after reports of the infection among contact lens users.

Source: Xinhua