CIBA Vision voluntarily recalls lotrafilcon B lenses

Duluth, GA-CIBA Vision Corp. has launched a voluntary trade-level recall of select lots of O₂Optix (lotrafilcon B) contact lenses, distributed primarily in the United States, and in other countries excluding Japan.

According to a statement, the company "[took] this action because we have identified that some lenses in these lots did not meet our standards for ion permeability, a material characteristic which contributes to lens movement on the eye. Some lenses with reduced ion permeability may cause persistent discomfort until the lens is removed, which could lead to corneal irritation for some wearers."

The CIBA Vision U.S. consumer Web site, http://www.us.cibavision.com/, offers users an apology for the current unavailability of O₂Optix product. "This situation is due to a number of different factors including manufacturing capacity issues and a recent limited voluntary, trade-level recall from eye-care professional, distributor, and retailer inventories," according to the company's Web site.