Woman Blames Blindness on Contact Lens Solution

09/24/2007 - The woman says a common contact lens solution caused a severe infection in her eye. Now, she can't even see her own children.

The solution in question is Complete Moisture Plus. Its manufacturer recalled it in May, but one grandma says by that time, her damage was done.

Donna Ponder was using the contact lens solution for just four months when her left eye started to hurt.

"It felt itchy, burning, always teary," said Ponder.

She went to her eye doctor and found out that Advanced Medical Optics announced a recall.

"The company, A.M.O., announced a recall of this product last May and admitted its product was contaminated, causing infections," said Spohrer and Dodd attorney Bob Spohrer.

Ponder was diagnosed with Acanthamoeba Keratitis.

"The Acanthamoeba is an especially virulent bug. It's aggressive, it's difficult to diagnose, it's difficult to treat," said Spohrer.

Ponder says she spent two months out of work, in pain, lying in a dark room.

"It was like the most excruciating pain I've ever had," said Ponder.

She woke up one day and she wasn't just in pain -- She also couldn't see.

"It was very, very frightening. It was like, 'This can't be happening to me. I just have like a regular little eye infection.' It's very frightening," said Ponder.

Ponder could lose her eye.

She's hoping she can get a corneal transplant, which may restore her vision.

But first, Ponder just has to get rid of the infection.

"I have to put drops in my eye about 30 times a day and they burn. They're very toxic and it's very tedious. No matter what you're doing, about every 40 minutes, you have to remember to take care of your eye," said Ponder.

And she's hoping a lawsuit will help prevent others from going through what she has.

"The most important thing I think I can get out of this is hold somebody accountable that this won't happen to someone else," said Ponder.

Ponder and her attorney say they believe the infection is a direct result of using the solution.

The makers of the solution say they can't comment on pending litigation but say they are dealing with at least three other suits because of this product.

The suit is also filed against K-Mart, where Ponder bought the lens solution.