Risk of eye injury with improper use of certain contact lens solutions

Starting date:

April 25, 2013

Posting date:

April 25, 2013

Type of communication:

Information Update

Subcategory:

Drugs, Chemicals

Source of recall:

Health Canada

Issue:

Important Safety Information

Audience:

General Public

Identification number:

RA-28539

• 
  Issue
• 
  What you should do
• 
  Report health or safety concerns
• 
  Media enquiries
• 
  Public enquiries
• 
  What Health Canada is doing

Issue

Health Canada is informing Canadians and Canadian health care professionals of the risk of eye injury associated with the improper use of contact lens cleaning and disinfecting solutions that contain 3% hydrogen peroxide.

Hydrogen Peroxide-based Contact Lens Solutions currently marketed in Canada

• Clear Care®
• Aosept ®
• Oxysept®

Hydrogen peroxide-based contact lens solutions are used for the cleaning, protein removal, disinfecting and storing of soft contact lenses. These are not multi-purpose or saline solutions and should not be used to rinse contact lenses before inserting into the eye. The hydrogen peroxide in these solutions needs to be neutralized in a specialized lens case provided with the product for a certain amount of time before the lenses can be inserted safely into the eye.

Health Canada has received reports of eye injury from consumers who have confused the hydrogen peroxide-based contact lens solutions with other types of contact lens solutions. Improper use and not following step-by-step directions have also contributed to eye injury.

What you should do

• Do not assume that all contact lens solutions are the same; read and follow labelling and packaging information carefully before buying and using the product.
• Store lens cleaning and disinfecting solutions that contain 3% hydrogen peroxide separately from solutions used to rinse or moisturize your lenses.
• Follow your eye care professional’s advice and read carefully the directions in the package insert for proper use and care of your lenses and lens care products, including lens cases.
• Always use the specially designed lens case provided with hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions. Do not use a flat lens case.
• Do not rinse your lenses with contact lens solutions that contain hydrogen peroxide before inserting them into the eye.
• Do not use a friend’s or other family member’s eye care products including lens cases, as they may be of a different kind.
• If you experience eye stinging or burning with the use of these products, follow instructions printed on the package insert or contact your eye care professional.

Report health or safety concerns

• Call toll-free at 1-866-234-2345
• Visit Health Canada’s Web page on Adverse Reaction Reporting for information on how to report online, by mail or by fax.

Media enquiries

Health Canada

613 -957-2983

Public enquiries

613-957-2991

1-866-225-0709

What Health Canada is doing

Health Canada has requested all manufacturers of hydrogen peroxide contact lens solutions sold in Canada to update the labels on their product packaging in order to highlight the risk of improper use and provide the consumer with clearer, step-by-step instructions for use.

The new packaging and labelling for hydrogen peroxide-based contact lens solutions should be on store shelves later this year. When using these products, consumers should follow the precautions mentioned below.