CooperVision has expanded its worldwide recall (News 02.10.11) of Avaira brand contact lenses to include limited lots of Avaira Sphere.
The company had identified certain lots of Avaira Sphere that did not meet its updated quality requirements due to the level of silicone oil residue. It has launched a website (www.coopervision.com/international-recall) for wearers to enter the lot number from the carton or blister label to see if the lenses have been recalled.
The presence of silicone oil residue on Avaira Sphere lenses may cause hazy vision or discomfort, severe eye pain or eye injuries, although not everyone experienced the same symptoms, it said.
CooperVision added it had identified the issue and corrected it through its quality system process. It would continue to supply Avaira Sphere lenses not affected by the recall and would replace the recalled product with available Avaira Sphere inventory.
The total number of Avaira Sphere lenses affected by the recall is 6.6m, of which 4.9m were shipped to customers globally. However, Heath Clash, communications manager Europe, Middle East and Africa, said that less than 1 per cent of product supplied to the UK in the past year was Avaira and less than 3 per cent of that was affected by the recall.
'We are in the process of contacting customers and have a full communications plan to help them assist us with the recall and work with their patients. We haven't received any confirmed reports of issues in the UK,' he said, describing the action as a precautionary voluntary recall.