DOH cautions vs. eye fungus

Eye-care practitioners were urged by Health Secretary Francisco Duque to report soft contact lens users with signs or symptoms of fungal keratitis to the Department of Health's National Epidemiology Center.

This was after numerous reports of fungal keratitis among soft contact lens users came to the attention of the country's health department. This is as well to further prevent incidence of this eye infection in the country.

Data obtained from DOH revealed that RenuMoisture Loc lens cleaner is a product not yet available in the Philippines and distributed by Bausch & Lomb, a company that distributes multi-purpose solutions locally.

The company has voluntarily suspended the shipment of the implicated lens cleaner in Singapore and Hong Kong in February this year after reports of the fungal keratitis infections emerged in the United States since June last year.

Fungal keratitis is an eye infection that can lead to blindness or the loss of the infected eye. Its signs or symptoms include unusual redness, eye pain blurry vision, eye discharge and sensitivity to light.

To minimize risk from this eye infection, Duque advised soft contact lens users to observe the proper use, care and storage of their lenses.

"Wash your hands with soap and water and dry them before handling your lenses," said Duque. He added that these lenses should be regularly cleaned and replaced at least monthly to prevent infection.

Also, Duque recommended that users should wear, clean and store these lenses according to those prescribed by eye-care practitioners and solution manufacturers. Sharing of contact lens cases and solutions is not recommended. - Jasmin R. Uy/BRP