Fungal Eye Infections and Protecting Californians from Contaminated Ophthalmic Products

While fungal infections of the eye are quite rare, when they do occur, they can be serious and even result in permanent vision loss or blindness. Anyone can get a fungal eye infection, but according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), these infections are usually linked to an eye injury, particularly with plant material; eye surgery; chronic eye disease involving the surface of the eye; fungal bloodstream infections; wearing contact lenses; or exposure to contaminated medical products that come in contact with the eye.

Some people, including those with diabetes, a weakened immune system or who use corticosteroids, may also be more likely to develop fungal eye infections. CDC also cautions that symptoms of a fungal eye infection are similar to the symptoms of other types of eye infections, including those caused by bacteria.

There are many different types of fungi that can cause eye infections. Some of the more common types listed by CDC include:

• Fusarium – a fungus that lives in the environment, especially in soil and on plants
• Aspergillus – a common fungus that lives in indoor and outdoor environments
• Candida – a type of yeast that normally lives on human skin and on the protective lining inside the body called the mucous membrane

“To protect consumers and patients in California, LA Testing offers fungal, bacterial and sterility testing of consumer products, OTC medicines and pharmaceuticals,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager of LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “Ensuring contaminated products don’t reach consumers is important as there have been eye infections in the past linked to corticosteroids, irrigation solution, contact lens solution and other products that have introduced fungi or yeast into people’s eyes. LA Testing also provides raw ingredient, production surface and indoor air quality testing of manufacturing facilities to help manufacturers avoid costly product recalls.”

Several years ago, LA Testing sponsored an educational video about fungal eye infections and some of the common fungi that can cause them. It can still be seen at: https://youtu.be/EEVo3I2lzQA

To learn more about product or environmental laboratory testing services, please visit www.LATesting.com, email info@LATesting.com or call (800) 755-1794.

About LA Testing
LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for product and indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC ELITE, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.

Contact Information

Joseph Frasca

Senior Vice President of Marketing

LA Testing

(1) 856-303-2503

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