ReNu Lawsuits: Why did Bausch & Lomb wait so long to disclose the fungal eye
infection problem with ReNu MoistureLoc contact lens solution?
May 17, 2006 -- The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Bausch & Lomb
didn't properly notify the FDA about 35 cases of serious fungal eye infections
caused by ReNu with MoistureLoc reported by Singapore's Ministry of Health in
February 2006. However, Bausch & Lomb denies the allegation. (See
ReNu crisis timeline.)
The FDA also faulted Bausch & Lomb
for not following proper procedures at its Greenville, S.C. manufacturing plant
and distribution center.
ReNu with MoistureLoc, from Bausch & Lomb is blamed for 122 reported and
confirmed cases of fusarium (fungal) keratitis. As of May 12, 2006, dozens of
other possible cases are under investigation according to the Center for Disease
Control (CDC) and hundreds more fungal infections could still surface.
Eyes, vision, the gift of sight; the ability to see is something taken for
granted until our world blurs and goes dark.
As of May 2006, ReNu contact lens solution has been pulled from the shelves of
major retailers like Wal-Mart, Walgreen, Kmart, and Sears after reports of a
link between ReNu MoistureLoc usage and serious eye infections. The request
follows a lawsuit which charges Bausch & Lomb for failing to disclose previous
reports from June 2005 linking ReNu contact lens solution to serious eye
infections in Asia.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating reported cases of a
fungal eye infection that is associated with the use of ReNu MoistureLoc contact
lens solution. Fusarium keratitis is a rare fungal infection that causes severe
eye irritation, requires corneal transplant, and blindness if left untreated.
What happens when a brand name like Bausch & Lomb fails to timely inform the
contact-lens-wearing-public about the possible dangers of fungal eye infection?
