Lens users warned amid blindness scare

Contact lens wearers in the country were told yesterday to observe proper use and care of their lenses amid a blindness scare caused by a product made by US firm Bausch and Lomb Inc.

Health Secretary Francisco Duque said there had been a rise in reports of a serious eye infection called fungal keratitis since the scare came to light.

Even though the Bausch and Lomb cleaning solution that caused all the trouble is not sold in the Philippines, Duque said he was concerned that travellers might have brought it into the country.

"Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them before handling your lenses," he urged in a statement.

He also told people to regularly clean and replace their lenses to avoid infection, and not to share cases or cleaning solutions.

People with symptoms of keratitis including redness, eye pain, blurry vision, discharges, and sensitivity to light have been asked to report them. Bausch and Lomb has stopped production at its South Carolina factory where the solution is made for the US market, but insisted that no infections have been found in Europe or China that could be linked to its products. — AFP