China's State Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) has urged Chinese consumers to stop using a contact lens solution produced by United States-based Advanced Medical Optics Inc. (AMO), which has been linked to a rare eye infection.

According to results of an investigation published by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 21 people out of 46 who have been infected by Acanthamoeba Keratitis, a rare but serious infection of the cornea, said they had used the AMO Complete Moisture Plus Multi-Purpose Solution. The company issued a statement on Friday night announcing a voluntary recall of the solution.

AMO's Shanghai office said the products would be taken off Chinese shelves and a customer enquiry hotline would be set up. A refund plan is set to be released next week.

The SFDA said it was closely monitoring the recall and has told Chinese consumers and ophthalmologists to submit immediate reports to local watchdog organizations on related eye infections.

Last year, AMO recalled 11 batches of contact lens solutions made in China after bacteria were found in three batches on sale in Japan.

A Bausch & Lomb multipurpose contact lens solution was also linked to a fungal eye infection last year.

Just a day before the product was recalled, AMO revealed its intention to make a bid for Bausch & Lomb, its main rival.

(Xinhua News Agency May 28, 2007)