New ReNu?

One year after Bausch & Lomb recalled its ReNu with MoistureLoc multipurpose contact lens cleaner worldwide, another manufacturer has initiated a recall. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) stated on May 26, 2007 that Advanced Medical Optics of Santa Ana, CA was voluntarily withdrawing all bottles of its Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution due to a possible parasite contamination. The connection was initially made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) after a lengthy one-year investigation.

The CDC released a report stating that cases of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) had risen in the United States over the last three years. The condition, caused by a water-borne parasite, is usually rare with an incident rate of about 1 to 2 people per million contact lens wearers. About 85% of those diagnosed with Acanthamoeba keratitis are contact lens wearers.

However, the CDC noted that there were 138 reported cases in the United States alone between January 2005 and May 2007. The CDC interviewed 39 lens users who had reported AK and found that 21 of them had used Complete MoisturePlus Multi Purpose Solution made by Advanced Medical Optics. Nine of those cases were serious enough to require a corneal transplant.

Based on these numbers, the CDC announced that Complete MoisturePlus users were seven times more likely to develop Acanthamoeba keratitis than those using other multipurpose lens cleaning solutions.

In the ReNu with MoistureLoc recall, the contamination was a fungal eye infection called Fusarium keratitis. During that investigation there were 164 confirmed cases, 34% of which required a corneal transplant. It was estimated that users of ReNu with MoistureLoc multipurpose lens cleaning solution were 20 times more likely to develop Fusarium keratitis than users of other lens cleaning solutions.

After last year’s ReNu with MoistureLoc recall, the FDA hinted that there would be more investigations into all multipurpose lens cleaning solution brands, and this investigation seems to be one of them. However, many expect that other multipurpose lens cleaning solutions will be named as well. Although poor hygiene was found to be a factor in the ReNu with MoistureLoc case and the Complete MoisturePlus case, reports seem to indicate a basic flaw with multipurpose lens cleaners in general.

Ironically, Complete MoisturePlus manufacturer Advanced Medical Optics announced one day before the recall that it was interested in purchasing ReNu with MoistureLoc manufacturer Bausch & Lomb. The recall announcement was made just before closing on May 26. Stock prices for both manufacturers plunged on May 29, the first day the stock exchange opened again after the Memorial Day weekend.

If you or a loved one has developed an eye infection while using ReNu with MoistureLoc, Complete MositurePlus, or any other multipurpose lens cleaner, contact Jim S. Adler & Associates. We have over 30 years of experience getting our clients the settlements they deserve to cover medical bills, lost work and wages, and pain and suffering – and we may be able to help you. Call a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury lawyer directly or fill out the form on this page with the details of your contaminated multipurpose lens cleaner solution injury for a free case review.

 

Jim S. Adler & Associates additionally has offices at City Place Building, 2711 North Haskell Ave., Suite 2100 LB40, Dallas, Texas 75204-2887;  at San Pedro Plaza, 7330 San Pedro Ave., Suite 700, San Antonio, Texas 78216-6237; and at Bank of America, 12605 East Freeway, Suite 400, Houston, Texas 77015-5619 (serving Channelview, Texas).

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