Serious Eye Infections Prompt Bausch & Lomb To Withdraw ReNu MoistureLoc® Contact Lens Solution From Market
Damage May Require Corneal Transplant
Patients who wear soft contact lenses should be aware of an increasing number of reports of rare but serious fungal eye infection that can cause permanent blindness.
The infection, Fusarium keratitis, has been reported in increasing numbers. Most victims have reported using Bauch & Lomb’s ReNu MoistureLoc® contact lens solution. The injury to the eye resulting from this infection can be very serious; loss of vision may result in the need for a corneal transplant.
While the CDC and the FDA work to determine the cause of the outbreak, stores are being asked to remove ReNu MoistureLoc® from their shelves and users are asked to find an alternative contact lens solution.
If you experience symptoms such as redness, pain, tearing, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling, remove your contacts and see your doctor; if symptoms are severe, go to the emergency room.
Feel you have been injured by ReNu® with MoistureLoc®? Contact us today via email or phone to discuss your case: 1-800-471-3980.
FDA Recommendations for Soft Contact Lens Users
If you wear soft contact lenses, the FDA recommends that you should:
- Stop using Bausch and Lomb ReNu with MoistureLoc products immediately and discard all remaining MoistureLoc solution including partially used or unopened bottles.
- Consult your doctor about choosing an appropriate alternative cleaning/disinfecting product.
- Consider performing a “rub and rinse” lens cleaning method, rather than a no rub method, regardless of which cleaning/disinfecting solution used, in order to minimize the number of germs and reduce the chances of infection.
- Continue to follow proper lens care practices:
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- Wash your hands with soap and water, and dry (lint-free method) them before handling your lenses.
- Wear and replace your lenses according to the schedule prescribed by your doctor.
- Follow instructions from your doctor and your solution manufacturer for cleaning and storing your lenses.
- Keep your contact lens case clean and replace every 3-6 months.
- Remove the lenses and consult your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as redness, pain, tearing, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision, discharge or swelling.
- Contact lens wearers warned of fungal eye infection.Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Wednesday, May 03, 2006:
- The infection is linked to fusarium, a fungus found in plants, tap water and soil. Risk factors include trauma (usually involving plant material), immunodeficiency, chronic ocular surface diseases and, on rare occasions, contact lens use, according to the FDA. The FDA says that in a population of 10,000 people, four to 21 cases of severe eye infection — called microbial keratitis, which includes fusarium — will occur annually. Fusarium infection is so rare that many eye doctors have never seen a case. Symptoms include redness, blurry vision, discharge, swelling, tearing, pain and increased sensitivity to light. Eye itchiness, said [ Dr. Roy Rubinfeld, a spokesman for the American Academy of Ophthalmology], is more likely due to spring allergies. Read more…
