Press release

Contact lenses recall: 1-day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism - MHRA urges patients to check their boxes for recalled lots

Users of certain Johnson & Johnson Acuvue daily disposable contact lenses are being urged by the MHRA to check their lenses, due to a voluntary product recall of specific lots initiated by the company.

MHRA logo on a green background

Users of certain Johnson & Johnson Acuvue daily disposable contact lenses are being urged by the MHRA to check their lenses, due to a voluntary product recall of specific lots initiated by the company. The recall affects a low level of stock of certain lots of 1-day Acuvue Moist for Astigmatism lenses. If not already contacted, customers should return these lenses to their supplier.

The affected lots may have particles on the contact lens or in the contact lens blister solution. If the particles are not noticed before insertion into the eye, this could cause eye redness or discomfort or corneal abrasion (damage to the surface of the eye). There have been no reports of serious adverse events to date.

Johnson & Johnson has notified affected opticians and optometrists, recalling the affected lots and has instructed them to contact patients who may have received the affected product. Contact lens users who are concerned should speak to their optician or optometrist.

Customers can check if their products are affected, by checking the lot number of the lens boxes against the list published by Johnson & Johnson in the company’s field safety notice (FSN) Lot numbers are displayed on the back or side of each carton of 28 lenses, as well as on the foil cover of individual lenses.

Mark Birse, MHRA Group Manager, Device Safety and Surveillance, comments:

“Whilst the risk is low, the MHRA takes the safety of the medicines and devices we regulate very seriously.

“It is therefore important that as many customers as possible are made aware of the need to check their lenses for these lot numbers.

“Contact lens users who still have concerns should contact their optician or optometrist. They can also report any adverse effects to the MHRA’s Yellow Card Scheme.”

Ends

Notes to Editor

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for regulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.

MHRA is a centre of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency which also includes the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC) and the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD). MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.

Contact lenses are a medical device. The MHRA has produced a guide to buying and looking after contact lenses for personal use, and works with the Love Your Lenses campaign of the General Optical Council.

Published 26 September 2019