MoistureLoc recall throws up need for independent reporting system

P.T. Jyothi Datta

Mumbai , May 23

It was in February that the first signs of trouble were visible with Bausch & Lomb's MoistureLoc contact lens solution in Singapore. As cases of serious fungal eye infection - fusarium keratitis - started getting reported from Asia and the US, respective health regulatory authorities initiated investigations to probe if the infections were linked to the specific contact lens solution.

In India, Bausch & Lomb affirmed that no such eye infections had occurred in the country. And last week, the company globally took off the shelf its ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution to reduce the risk of the rare eye infection.

No Monitoring

Nevertheless, the nagging thought remains. Was there zero incidence of similar eye-infections in India because there were no such cases reported here or because there is no independent monitoring system to capture such data? Both, says Ms Kunda Ganatra, President of the Indian Optometric Association (IOA).

There is no regulatory body to which such medical device linked incidents can be reported. However, similar infections have not been seen in the private hospitals and clinics, she says, adding that the IOA has been keeping an eye on developments. The association met Bausch & Lomb officials in Mumbai last week.

Only recently the Union Health Ministry brought select medical devices, including intra-ocular or implantable contact lenses

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