RENU CONTACT LENS CLEANING SOLUTION INFORMATION

The Nations Law Firm represents people who have been injured by dangerous drugs and medical devices, such as ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens cleaning solution. If you or someone you know has used Renu with MoistureLoc and has suffered from Fusarium keratitis or other serious side effects, please contact our offices for a free consultation with one of our pharmaceutical attorneys.

RENU CONTACT LENS CLEANING SOLUTION ISSUES

• ReNu with MoistureLoc was used by an estimated 2.3 million people in the U.S.
• The contact lens cleaning solution was found to cause Fusarium keratitis, a severe eye infection
• If not properly treated and diagnosed, Fusarium keratitis can cause permanent cornea damage and blindness
• Over 164 cases of Fusarium keratitis were confirmed in contact lens users in the U.S.
• The first reports of Fusarium keratitis outbreaks came from ReNu users in Asia in February 2006
• The American public wasn't notified until April 2006 when a world-wide recall was initiated
• As of May 2006, Bausch & Lomb has permanently removed ReNu with MoistureLoc from the market

GLOBAL RECALL - RENU WITH MOISTURE LOC INJURIES

On April 13, 2006, Bausch & Lomb issued a world-wide recall of their contact lens cleaning solution, ReNu with MoistureLoc. The recall was initiated after the solution was linked to an outbreak of Fusarium keratitis, a rare, serious eye disease. Fusarium keratitis (also known as fungal keratitis) is a swelling of the cornea caused by a fungus which is commonly found in soil and plants. Symptoms include eye pain, foreign body sensation, redness, tearing, discharge, and light sensitivity. Treatment consists of hourly eye drops and oral antibiotics and, for more severe infections, surgical procedures including corneal transplant may be required. If not properly and promptly diagnosed and treated, Fusarium keratitis can lead to permanent corneal damage and blindness.

BEFORE THE RECALL - FAILURE TO WARN

As early as February of 2006, outbreaks of Fusarium keratitis were being reported among contact lens users in Asia. Bausch & Lomb suspended sales of their contact lens cleaning solutions in Asia and began investigating. They did not, however, notify the American public. There are an estimated 30 million soft contact lens wearers in the United States. It is estimated that 2.3 million of them have used ReNu with MoistureLoc.

INVESTIGATING THE FUSARIUM KERATITIS OUTBREAK

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) launched an investigation in collaboration with the federal Food & Drug Administration and state and local agencies. By May of 2006, they had confirmed 102 cases and were investigating an additional 81 cases from 31 different states in the U.S. Independent researchers also began studying the outbreak to determine its cause. By June 30, 2006, one of those independent studies had identified 164 confirmed cases in 33 states and 1 U.S. territory. The patients ranged in age from 12 to 83. Corneal transplantation was required or planned in 55 (34%). Following is an excerpt from their results as published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA).

Conclusions The findings from this investigation indicate that this outbreak of Fusarium keratitis was associated with use of ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution. Contact lens users should not use ReNu with MoistureLoc.

Bausch & Lomb's other contact lens products, ReNu MultiPlus® and ReNu Multi-Purpose, were not implicated in the fungal keratitis outbreaks and are still marketed world-wide.

RENU PERMANENTLY WITHDRAWN FROM THE MARKET

On May 15, 2006, Bausch & Lomb announced their decision to permanently withdraw ReNu with MoistureLoc from the market. Following their internal investigations, Bausch & Lomb had concluded that "unique characteristics of the formulation of the ReNu with MoistureLoc product in certain unusual circumstances can increase the risk" of a Fusarium keratitis eye infection.

BAUSCH & LOMB'S OFFER

ReNu with MoistureLoc was manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, a multi-billion dollar corporation that specializes in eye care products. Bausch & Lomb, founded in 1853, currently employs nearly 14,000 people world-wide and sells its products in more than 100 countries.

Bausch & Lomb admits that ReNu with MoistureLoc caused serious eye injuries to consumers. In an apparent effort to compensate their consumers, this multi-billion dollar global corporation has placed the following offer on their website.

For each ReNu with MoistureLoc label that you send them, they will mail you a coupon for a 12 oz. bottle of ReNu MultiPlus® cleaning solution. This "generous" offer is limited to 2 coupons per household. So even if you bought more than 2 bottles of their dangerous product, they will only compensate you for two. There is no mention on the manufacturer's website of what you should do if you have suffered from Fusarium keratitis, if you need a corneal transplant or if you have been blinded by using their product.

LEGAL RECOURSE

Our law firm represents people across the country who have been injured by ReNu with MoistureLoc and other dangerous drugs and medical devices. Pharmaceutical companies owe a moral and legal responsibility to the public to ensure that the medications they manufacture and market are not unreasonably dangerous and to ensure that the consumer is made aware of the risks associated with the medication. The business of pharmaceuticals in the United States is highly competitive and is worth billions of dollars. Unfortunately, some pharmaceutical companies are hastily introducing and marketing new drugs prematurely without adequate testing and warnings, resulting in tragic injuries that could have been avoided.

If you or someone you know has been injured by using ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens cleaning solution, please contact our offices for a free consultation with one of our pharmaceutical attorneys.