Firm gets till Thursday to prove contact lens cleanser is safe

Star: PUTRAJAYA: The Health Ministry has given Bausch & Lomb until Thursday to prove that its ReNu multi-purpose contact lens care solution is safe for use.
Minister Datuk Chua Soi Lek said his officials met Bausch & Lomb representatives yesterday and informed them of customer complaints.
He added that it was discovered at the Hussein Onn Eye Clinic that patients had suffered from using the contact lens solution.
On March 16, it was reported that the ministry had ordered optical stores and pharmacies to withdraw the ReNu multi-purpose contact lens care solution from their shelves.
“Some optometrists and opticians have already withdrawn the product,” Chua added.
On Friday, Bausch & Lomb officials said it would not withdraw the product as the company had not received any official instruction from the Government to do so.
In a statement yesterday, Advanced Medical Optics, manufacturer of the Complete brand of contact lens solution, said they would comply with the ministry’s directives to submit safety documents relating to its products.
On Thursday, ministry officials met with all contact lens solution manufacturers and asked them to submit safety reports on their products.
Meanwhile, LISA GOH reports that England Optical Group chief executive officer Datuk Chin See Keat has advised contact lens users to rub the lens when cleaning it as this can help prevent fungal growth.
“Soaking it in a solution can get rid of the bacteria, but not the fungus or protein on the lens. We always recommend that customers rub the lenses for about 15 seconds,” said Chin, who is Malaysia Optical Practitioner Association president.
He also said customers could bring their unopened ReNu contact lens care solution to any of the company's chain stores in exchange for other products of the same or lower value.