Serious fungal infections of eye on the rise

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Investigators in Miami and San Francisco describe clusters of a serious eye infection called ulcerative keratitis, an ulceration of the cornea, among soft contact lens wearers caused by the fungus Fusarium, which until this year had been considered an unusual condition in the U.S. Reports of both clusters are published in the Archives of Ophthalmology.

An editorial note preceding the articles refers to the recent withdrawal by Bausch & Lomb of its ReNu MoistureLoc contact lens cleaner, because of an association with these infections. The note says those cases "appear to be part of a more global emergence of Fusarium as a vision-threatening organism in otherwise healthy patients."

In the first paper, Dr. Eduardo C. Alfonso and colleagues at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, report that their group treated 10 cases of soft contact lens-associated keratomycosis between 1969 and 1992. But between January 2004 and April 2006, they treated 34 cases attributed to Fusarium infection.

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Carried by birds crossing our boarder with out visas. Well I never

sterilizing frequently and the carrying cases being bad and not cleaned.. plus the solutions

I had a horrible experience with Target's name brand solution in April and am just now getting rid of it.

Just curious because they were thinking that the flat flip up tops were harboring the fungus. The screw top bottles are supposedly better.

...environment that harbors the fungus in the polymers that make up the solution for this new generation of contact lens cleaners. The flip top bottles are predominant in the US. This is not a problem in Europe where they only have the screw on tops. They will have to do something because this fungus is really picking up steam. 34 infections in such a short period of time is an alarming increase. I am not wearing my contact lenses at the moment. I want to watch the data and report back here to you all on the board when I find out more information. I have some sources in ophthalmology that can give me the scoop. I'll let you know what I hear.

I use solution for hard/gas perm lenses and they are generall screw top. I am not positive, though. The soaking solution may very well have been flip top.

At any rate, I hunted down my favorite solution & cleansers from Lobob, which are all screw top. And I have happy eyes again.

That is scary for those of us who have been told to never wear glasses, only contact lenses. Eyes are so important and we often take them for granted.

...you up to date on the latest research findings.

...requires multiple surgical procedures in certain cases to save the eye. That AAOO, CDC, and NIH have to get together with manufacturers of contact lens solutions and sort this out quick. Even those who observe hygenic practices are stricken with this fungal infection of their cornea. The environment of the eye is a very delicate due to limited circulation, which makes it more vulnerable when it does develop an infection. All contact lens wearers need to stay well informed and up to date on this crisis.

related to the use of antimicrobial soaps. The FDA has made statements to the effect that they may, in fact, lead to increased numbers of microbes on the hands. Yet, of course, they leave them on the market- and, let the buyer beware. Unfortunately, it is very hard to find 'normal' soap anymore.

On a somewhat different note, my son, had ringworm (a fungal infection) this past year. We did not determine the source. However, it was extremely tenacious! It started on his hand in late December '05.

Nothing we tried did much to stop it. It wasn't until I started giving him colostrum in capsule form that we were able to successfully eradicate it- in late April '06. Colustrum is amazing stuff!

immune systems can be revved up beyond normal or in many instances brought back up to par.... what would the drugcos say if this was to get out.... that many peoples' immunities have dwindled, and that there are specific food based products that can kick it back up?? Oh my, please don't let that one out.

...religiously to the area until it disappears. Tee tree oil is very effective against athletes feet, fungal nail infectons and any fungus that attacks the skin. It works better than some of the steroid ointments, some of which due nothing at all. But Tee Tree oil CANNOT be applied to the eyes. It is for external use ONLY.


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