Bausch & Lomb Litigation



On April 10, 2006, Bausch & Lomb, Inc. announced that it was suspending U.S. shipments of ReNu® with MoistureLoc® produced at its Greenville, S.C., manufacturing facility in order to facilitate the further investigation of reports of fungal keratitis infections among contact lens wearers in the United States. This action came after the United States Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) and the United States Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) issued public health warnings on April 10, 2006, concerning serious fungal infections, such as fusarium keratitis, associated with contact lens solution use. The CDC is reviewing 109 suspected cases of fungal keratitis. Of those 109 cases, the CDC completed 30 patient reviews prior to its April 10 release. Of those 30 patients, 28 wore soft contact lenses and 26 used Bausch & Lomb ReNu® contact lens solution in the month prior to the fungal infection diagnosis.

In a May 5 report, the CDC found that of 56 confirmed cases in contact wearers, 34 used a Bausch & Lomb product.  The CDC also reported on fusarium keratitis being confirmed worldwide.  Bausch & Lomb's contact solution has been linked to 50% to 60% of all reported cases.

Fusarium keratitis is a severe infection of the cornea.  Symptoms of fungal keratitis include eye pain, eye discomfort, decrease in vision and light hypersensitivity.  The infection can require prolonged drug therapy with antifungal medication.  Those infected with fungal keratitis who do not receive or who do not respond to medical treatment may experience significant loss of vision and will usually require surgical intervention, including corneal transplantation.  Risk factors for infection usually include trauma (generally with plant material), chronic ocular surface diseases, immunodeficiencies, and, rarely, contact lens use.

Lewis & Roberts is currently investigating the allegations, as supported by the FDA's recent findings, that Bausch & Lomb's contact lens solutions, ReNu® with MoistureLoc®, may have caused serious and severe infection of the cornea in contact wearers who used the solution.  Please contact us if you are suffering from abnormal infections of the eye or are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, and were using Bausch & Lomb's ReNu® with MoistureLoc® contact lens solution.  You may use our on-line form to contact us.