Washington, DCThe US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has met with an advisory panel to discuss stricter standards for contact lens solutions such as ReNu with MoistureLoc. The panel, which involves a number of outside advisers to the FDA who are experts in ophthalmology, was convened after two massive contact lens solution recalls. Meanwhile, patients are still filing lawsuits against Bausch & Lomb, alleging that the company's lens solution caused severe damage to their eyes.
One of the recommendations from the advisory panel was that companies should advise consumers to rub their contact lenses with cleaning solution to remove any germs. Currently, a number of lens cleansers are advertised as "no rub" solutions. Another recommended change to contact lens solution labels is a warning not to reuse lens solution.
Among other recommendations that the panel made were that contact lens solutions should be tested against a broader range of infectious organisms, that all contact lens products should be subject to standardized testing to ensure they meet the same demands and that testing should involve "real-world" scenarios. Although the FDA does not have to follow the recommendations of its advisory panel, it usually does.
Bausch & Lomb, makers of ReNu with MoistureLoc, issued a recall in April 2006 after the contact lens solution was linked to Fusarium keratitis, an eye infection that can cause blindness. According to the FDA, approximately one-third of the people who developed the Fusarium keratitis infection required corneal transplants. Bausch & Lomb was also criticized by the FDA for not reporting approximately 35 eye infections linked to ReNu with MoistureLoc.
Although the changes will likely be welcomed by millions of contact lens solution users, it comes too late for those who developed severe eye infections. Many patients wrote to LawyersandSettlements about their experiences. They complained of a burning sensation in their eyes, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, redness, discharge and headaches. Some patients say they have suffered permanent loss of vision and corneal ulcers.
Patients who were affected by Bausch & Lomb's ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution are now filing lawsuits against the company, alleging that ReNu with MoistureLoc was unreasonably dangerous and defective. Furthermore, lawsuits allege that Bausch & Lomb did not adequately warn customers about the risks associated with its multipurpose lens solution and that it was negligent in not removing the solution from the market.
Although it has been almost two years since ReNu with MoistureLoc was recalled, lawsuits are still being filed.
If you were injured by the use of Bausch & Lomb's ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution, you may be eligible to join a lawsuit against the company. Contact a lawyer to discuss your legal options.