SEACÕs statement

ÔThe Committee revisited the advice it issued following the meetings in July and September 1999 on the re-use of contact lenses and ophthalmic devices that touched the eye. They noted results of as yet unpublished research findings where abnormal prion protein had not been detected in the front of an eye from a vCJD patient.
When taken together with results from further as yet unpublished research, this suggested that any abnormal prion protein present in these segments of the eye would be at a lower level than previously assumed, and probably below that present in lymphoreticular tissue in vCJD patients.
At the same time the Committee considered that the likely levels present could not be precisely quantified because of insensitivities in the assay used. They also noted results of research demonstrating that a solution containing 20,000ppm of available chlorine of sodium hypochlorite is very effective in reducing TSE infectivity.
Some members had doubts about whether such reductions would be as effective in practice with respect to infectious material that might be adhering to the surfaces of lenses and ophthalmic devices. This was an aspect on which further research was needed.
The Committee considered that wherever practicable a single use approach should be followed for lenses and devices coming into contact with the front of the eye. Evidence was presented to the meetings by the optical profession that single use was impracticable for some devices, including rigid complex diagnostic lenses, tonometers and other highly specialised equipment.
The Committee considered that in such circumstances it would be important to apply best decontamination procedures, including, as appropriate, the use of a solution containing 20,000ppm of available chlorine of sodium hypochlorite.Õ