AMO Recall Not Soon Enough

Virginia Beach, VA"About one year ago I ordered contact lenses from Sam's Club and they gave me two "action pack" bottles of AMO Complete MoisturePlus Multi-Purpose Solution, "says Carey Jones. "If I knew about the AMO recall sooner, I may not have cornea damage."

"I used the AMO solution right up until I heard on the news that it had been recalled," says Jones (not her real name). I immediately checked my bottles and sure enough, they were part of the recall.

For months I had numerous problems with my eyes. Initially my doctor thought I had pink eye so he prescribed an ointment. That didn't work so he prescribed eye drops. That didn't work either. I had severe redness and swelling and my eyes were really painful. As well, my eyes were sensitive to light and I have had terrible headaches. A lot of fluid built up under my eyes and my vision began to deteriorate.

Finally I was able to get an appointment with an ophthalmologist. Just two days ago I saw him at the Naval Medical Center in Portsmouth. I was in the chair for at least 30 minutes before he diagnosed me with Acanthamoeba keratitis -- inflammation of the cornea. It is so severe that my cornea has been punctured -- I actually have little holes in my eyes.

He prescribed another antibiotic and it is helping but my eyes are still swollen.

He sketched a picture of my eyes and took a red marker showing all the damaged areas -- he drew a circle with about 10 dots per eye, indicating how many holes I have in them.

My Prognosis: I have to go back on June 27 and he will run more tests. I'm not out of the woods yet; I know that I have permanent damage. I certainly can't wear contact lenses anymore.

I still have the bottles in my possession.

I found a lawyer through your site, LawyersandSettlements.com. He told me to keep the bottles, the lenses, the container, anything I have. I need to get my medical records as well -- I have the package sitting on my kitchen table, ready to send to my lawyer, including photos of the bottles.

When I found out about the recall, I felt taken advantage off. And wronged. And a victim. I had to miss a lot of work because I couldn't function. Everyone thought I was contagious so my boss thought it best that I stay home. I lost about six days of work and had to take time without pay.

I went through a lot of pain and embarrassment -- not being able to function. I just want the drug makers to do something, at least pay for my eye surgery. I don't want this to haunt me days or even years down the road.