FDA Issues Urgent Recall of Healon D

Opthalmic Device Linked to Serious Post Operative Eye Inflammation

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced a Class I recall of lot no. UD30654 of Healon D, an ophthalmic viscosurgical device (OVD) manufactured by Advanced Medical Optics Inc (AMO). OVDs are viscoelastic materials used to maintain space in the eye during surgery. Typically, OVDs are pre-packaged in a syringe and are applied using a small tube.

On Oct. 30, 2008, AMO voluntarily recalled all 4,439 units of Healon D lot no. UD30654 of Healon D, due to complaints of inflammation after eye surgery, including Toxic Anterior Segment Syndrome (TASS). At that time, AMO informed customers of the number and nature of adverse event reports associated with OVD from that lot, and included a fax reply form for quick communication.

However, as of December 3, 2008, AMO had retrieved only 964 units of the 1,450 that had been distributed in the United States.

AMO received 66 adverse event reports associated with the recalled products. Tests of this lot revealed elevated levels of endotoxin, which has been associated with post-operative intraocular inflammation and TASS.

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Published on Jan-2-09