AAO urges physician, public awareness

The American Academy of Ophthalmology (AAO), which said it was "pleased with the timely JAMA article," is reminding physicians to emphasize the importance of good hygiene practices to their patients who wear contact lenses.

"This current outbreak of Fusarium keratitis should serve to raise public and professional awareness of this potentially vision-threatening condition and emphasize the importance of good hygiene practices when removing and replacing one's contact lenses," the AAO said. "This includes washing and drying one's hands prior to touching the contact lens, routine cleaning of the contact lens case, and storing the lenses in new contact lens solution after each use (as opposed to topping off the solution, which was associated with infection). Most importantly, contact lens wearers should seek immediate attention from their ophthalmologist for ocular redness, pain, and decreased vision."