The adverse reactions to last weekÕs news regarding a new study on Acanthamoeba and contact lens solutions have continued.
Ciba Vision UK and Alcon have both moved swiftly to state their contact lens care products were not involved in the research.
The study, which appeared in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, questioned the ability of some contact lens solutions, especially multipurpose ones, to kill the eye bug (News, February 1). It was also featured heavily in various radio and television reports.
Marcella McParland, CibaÕs professional services manager, has written to UK practitioners to help them answer any questions patients have.
ÔThe scientific study which led to this news report did not concern our own products in the UK,Õ she informed them, and included a four-point patient advice list.
Alcon stated that its Opti-Free Express No Rub was not included in the University of Vienna study either.
ÔOpti-Free Express No Rub proprietary disinfecting formula Ð Polyquad and Aldox Ð is different from the multi-purpose solution tested,Õ pointed out Dr Ralph Stone, vice-president of lens care research and development at AlconÕs US-based headquarters in Texas.
ÔPolyquad and Aldox kill Acanthamoeba during the soak,Õ he claimed, and said studies in the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmology Journal (July 2000) and the 1998 edition of Contact Lens and Anterior Eye confirmed this.
ÔThese studies show that Opti-Free Express No Rub kills off Acanthamoeba in both the trophazoite and cyst form when lenses are stored in the solution for six hours or longer,Õ Dr Stone added.
Three years ago Alcon was criticised by rival UK contact lens care companies when it launched a £1m consumer campaign which stated that Opti-Free express Ôkills AcanthamoebaÕ (News, March 1999).