Sign our petition
Object:
withdrawal of preservatives from ophthalmic preparations to Preserve our
Eyes not Our Drops!
We are three patient associations: Keratos (http://keratos.free.fr),
focusing on ocular surface diseases and lachrymal dysfunctions,
Gêniris
(http://associationgeniris.free.fr)
concentrating on aniridia and other rare diseases of the iris and
Amalyste (http://www.amalyste.fr)
who supports Stevens-Johnson’s sufferers. We gather members from France,
Belgium, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Portugal, Italy, Spain, Norway and the
UK.
It is commonly accepted, on the basis of independent medical literature
and studies, that the systematic use of preservatives in eyedrops, such
as benzalkonium chloride (a toxic detergent, although by far not the
only culprit), has a serious deleterious effect for all chronic diseases
that require the frequent instillation of eyedrops (even in originally
healthy corneas).
Medical literature is very abundant on this matter, and ophthalmologists
themselves are more and more aware of such – at first frequently
insidious - dangers and advise their patients to avoid using preserved
eyedrops and prefer non-preserved options. Unfortunately, these are not
always available.
Therefore, we would like to draw your attention to the fact that
preservatives have forced many of our members to suspend their many
treatments due to severe allergic reactions or intolerances, the
apparition of punctuate keratitis (a very frequent symptom of
preservative use) or corneal erosions, irritations and other lachrymal
disturbances. Beyond the more manifest intolerances, it is the cytotoxic
effect that we fear the most, considering that it will leave most
members with either an inadequate therapeutic option or a deteriorated
cornea. Again, medical literature confirms the experience of our
members.
Our treatments are directly impacted by the availability non-preserved
options or lack thereof. This is clearly unacceptable considering that
these risks may be totally avoided by the use of special containers or
single use vials. Please consider reading more on what exactly is at
stake on the following website:
http://preservative.free.fr
Some laboratories have taken the necessary steps to produce
non-preserved ophthalmic preparations, whereas some others still don’t
abide by what should be the first rule in medicine first do not harm
(especially considering that there are alternatives).
Please ban preservatives in use ophthalmic preparations for the sake of
our eyes. In the meanwhile, medical authorities should impose the
obligation of producing sufficient non-preserved eyedrops alternatives
for each indication or molecule in order to provide alternatives for all
patients.
Please help us by
signing this petition:
http://associationgeniris.free.fr/index.php?option=com_joomlapetition&func=viewcategory&Itemid=&catid=2
You may also
read this petition in
other languages:
http://associationgeniris.free.fr/index.php?option=com_joomlapetition
download a written version
of the petition to convince friends and family to sign:
Petition in English (Word File)
Petition in English (PDF File)
You may complete and/or
scan these and send it us as noted at the end of the document or send it
to:
keratos_contact@hotmail.fr
This is what we call the 'Preservative Paradox!
Preserve
our Eyes not our Drops!
▲
copyright ©
Keratos 2007
