AMO Contact Lens Solution: Patients Investigate Lawsuits

Philadelphia, PAAlthough the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is considering stricter labeling guidelines for AMO contact lens solution and other similar products, the damage has already been done to many consumers who suffered terrible pain because of an AMO-related infection. Many are now filing lawsuits alleging that AMO Complete MoisturePlus contact lens solution was responsible for their infections and that they were not properly warned about the risks associated with the cleanser.

On May 25, 2007, AMO (Advanced Medical Optics) recalled its Complete MoisturePlus contact lens solution after the product was linked to Acanthamoeba keratitis, a very serious corneal infection. The infection is so serious that many patients had to undergo surgery to recover, often requiring corneal transplants. Some patients lost the use of their infected eyes.

Sadly, adults were not the only ones affected by the AMO-related infections. Many teens wear contact lenses and use solutions such as AMO Complete MoisturePlus. They also suffered serious side effects from their infections, including loss of vision. These teens and their families are now investigating possible lawsuits against AMO seeking compensation for money spent on medical bills and compensation for pain and suffering.

Lawsuits against AMO allege not only that the product was responsible for consumers' eye infections but also that AMO knew that its contact lens solution was not effective at destroying Acanthamoeba keratitis but did not warn consumers. Furthermore, the lawsuits allege that studies published before Complete MoisturePlus was recalled showed that the product's disinfectant was not nearly as good as other lens solutions at killing Acanthamoeba keratitis.

Acanthamoeba is a parasite that lives in water. People who wear contact lenses and swim in contaminated pools or other water that contains the parasite are at risk of developing an infection. The Acanthamoeba keratitis infection was linked to AMO's Complete MoisturePlus when an unusually high number of contact lens users developed the infection.

Although AMO initially claimed that the infections were caused by consumers not properly cleaning their lenses, the company actually marketed Complete MoisturePlus as a no-rub solution, meaning that consumers could disinfect their lenses without rubbing them—a claim not supported by many optometrists and ophthalmologists. One of the labeling changes under FDA consideration is an advisory that consumers rub their contact lenses to fully disinfect them.

Some critics argue that AMO Complete MoisturePlus and other lens solutions are not being properly tested under real world conditions. They say that laboratory conditions are ideal and do not reflect the situations that most contact lens users face. Therefore, they want to see contact lens solutions tested under "normal-use" conditions. Such scenarios could include testing a solution's effectiveness while in a contact lens case and testing for effectiveness when the solution evaporates.

In addition to lawsuits from American consumers, AMO faces international suits regarding its lens solution. A man from Brisbane Australia recently filed a lawsuit alleging AMO's Complete MoisturePlus solution caused his partial blindness. According to the lawsuit, the victim lost vision in his right eye after using AMO's cleanser.

If you were harmed by the use of Complete MoisturePlus, you may be eligible to join a lawsuit against AMO. Contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.