New solution recall on heels of ReNu with MoistureLoc

Just six months after Bausch & Lomb’s recall of its multipurpose contact lens cleaning solution, ReNu with MoistureLoc, another multipurpose solution has been recalled in the United States and elsewhere. Advanced Medical Optic’s Complete MoisturePlus was recalled after the company discovered that its production line was contaminated, leaving consumers at risk for bacterial infection.

"Because of this production-line issue at its manufacturing plant in China, Advanced Medical Optics is recalling 18 lots distributed in the U.S. that were manufactured on the same production lines during the same production period," Advanced Medical Optics said in a press release.

The recall affects 2.9 million bottles of the solution made at the company’s plant in China. Most of those bottles were distributed to Japan and other parts of Asia, though 183,000 bottles made it to the United States. Three lots of Complete MoisturePlus in Japan were found to be contaminated with bacteria.

In response, the company has closed the facility in China for a complete cleaning and sterilization. The company said that it expects the plant to be closed for 10 – 12 weeks.

Unlike ReNu with MoistureLoc, Advanced Medical Optics stated that the actual risk to consumers was “low.” However, "non-sterility of a contact lens solution may have serious health consequences, including eye infection and microbial keratitis," the company said.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found in August 2006 that ReNu with MoistureLoc was linked to 164 confirmed cases of Fusarium keratitis, a particularly dangerous fungal infection. The CDC reported that 34% of those victims needed a corneal transplant to repair the damage. The eye infection can also lead to blindness.

Its report has also revealed that multipurpose solutions in general may be inherently flawed, and that by reducing the number of cleaning steps with these “all-in-one” products, the solution is unable to clean contact lens completely and effectively.

Advanced Medical Optic announced that as a result of this recall, profits for 2006 will be down. However for Bausch & Lomb the financial picture is much worse. ReNu with MoistureLoc, and $100 million per year product, is facing up to $1 billion in lawsuits associated with the fungal eye infection.

Regardless of the product, consumers have a right to expect that recommended usage will lead to safe results, especially with over-the-counter products like multipurpose lens solution. If you or a loved one has experienced serious side effects like fungal infections, corneal transplants, or blindness when using ReNu with MoistureLoc or any other lens cleaning solution, contact a Jim S. Adler & Associates personal injury attorney. We have over 30 years of medical law experience, and we may be able to help you secure compensation for your medical bills, lost work and wages, and pain and suffering. Call Jim S. Adler & Associates directly at 1-800-505-1414, or fill out our free case review form with details of your injuries.

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

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