Advanced Medical: Word From FDA Panel on Solutions

It's been a busy month for Santa Ana's Advanced Medical Optics Inc.

While Chief Executive James Mazzo updated analysts and investors on how the eye surgery and contact lens care company is doing (see story, page 1), other officials were talking with the Food and Drug Administration in Washington, D.C., about plans to boost contact lens safety.

An FDA panel of eye care experts called for beefing up oversight of contact lenses and solutions. The panel is looking at several changes, including requiring warnings not to reuse cleaning solutions.

Advanced Medical and other solution makers also may have to test for acanthamoeba, which can cause a potentially blinding infection.

The company said it is supportive of the proposals and would cooperate with the agency's efforts to boost product safety.

During the hearing, Advanced Medical emphasized its "rub and rinse" recommendations for its contact lens solutions.