In November 2006, Advanced Medical Optics, Inc., a vision products manufacturer, recalled nearly 3 million units of Complete MoisturePLUS contact lens solution because of sterility problems that could lead to eye infections.

Since then, the solution was linked to a serious corneal infection known as acanthamoeba keratitis, and multiple products-liability lawsuits have been filed against the company.

All of the plaintiffs claim to have contracted acanthamoeba infections while they were using Complete MoisturePLUS to disinfect their contact lenses.

Acanthamoeba keratitis is serious business. The infections can be chronic and are often resistant to treatment; sometimes they require corneal transplants and can even lead to blindness.

Aside from the risks of the contact lens cleansers -- you probably remember the outbreak of fungal eye infections caused by contacts solutions that spread across the country last year -- contact lenses themselves are not a natural vision tool.

But if you’re thinking of ditching your contacts for LASIK surgery, please reconsider. LASIK does nothing to treat the cause of your vision loss, and is 100-percent guaranteed to make your vision worse over time.

In fact, even glasses can worsen your vision eventually, but the additional problem with LASIK is that you permanently make your cornea your "glasses" -- and it is obviously very difficult to get a new pair of glasses when they are part of your eye.

There are, however, many secrets to regain your vision naturally, including these four dietary tips to help protect your eyesight as you age.

Schmidt and Clark July 31, 2007

RD