(1888PressRelease)
June 21, 2006 - Pennsylvania May 15, 2006 - Contact lens wearers throughout the United States and around the world are being diagnosed with an extremely painful and potentially detrimental eye fungus, called fusarium keratitis. The FDA and the CDC recently announced an investigation into the occurrence of this rare fungal infection, detected in an alarming number of soft contact lens wearers using Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu contact lens solution. As of April 24, 2006, reports stated that the number of confirmed or suspected cases of the eye fungus had grown to one hundred seventy-six. In an updated report, the Center for Disease Control listed occurrence of the eye fungus in twenty-eight states. Bausch & Lomb initially stopped shipment of its ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution, and then asked retail stores to completely remove the product from their shelves.
The fungal infection is usually found in plant material and soil in tropical and subtropical regions, and is usually contracted when a person is hit in the eye with infected soil, a plant or tree branch. It is not transmitted from person to person and was never associated with wearers of contact lenses until this point. Its high occurrence in users of Bausch & Lomb’s contact lens solution products is quite unusual, while at the same time extremely troubling. Due to the uncommon nature of the eye fungus, it has gone undetected in many patients for a prolonged period of time. Without appropriate treatment, the infection can scar the cornea and blind its victims. Symptoms may include blurry vision, pain or redness, excessive discharge and increased sensitivity to light. Treatment may include prolonged anti-fungal therapy and even corneal transplant surgery.
Class action suits have already been filed in both Florida and New York on behalf of users of Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu with MoistureLoc product.
If you or someone you know has been diagnosed with a fungal infection following use of a Bausch & Lomb , please contact Michael J. O’Connor & Associates by calling 1-800-518-4LAW. More information can be obtained by visiting www.oconnorlaw.com.
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