LAWFUEL – Legal Newswire – NEW YORK, July 2, 2007 Parker Waichman Alonso LLP announces that it has filed suit on behalf of a man diagnosed with Fusarium Keratitis in his right eye after using Renu with MoistureLoc(r) Contact Lens Solution. As a result of the infection, the man continues to suffer from a significant loss of vision. The suit was filed in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, New York County (Docket # 104111/07).
If you or a loved one believe that you were injured as a result of
using Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu with MoistureLoc(r) Contact Lens Solution,
please contact our office by visiting www.yourlawyer.com. Free case
evaluations are also available by calling 1-800-LAW-INFO
(1-800-529-4636).
In October 2005, the injured man, a resident of Georgia, was diagnosed
with injuries to his right eye including fungal keratitis, a corneal
ulcer, epithelial defect, corneal edema and corneal perforation, all of
which required extensive medical treatment. In November 2005, his right
eye tested positive for Fusarium. As a result of these injuries, the
victim now suffers from a significant and permanent loss of vision.
On April 10, 2006, the FDA and the CDC issued public health warnings
concerning serious fungal infections associated with contact lens
solution use. The CDC stated that it had interviewed 30 patients
suspected of having fungal keratitis. Of these 30 patients, 28 wore
soft contact lenses and 26 used a Bausch & Lomb ReNu contact lens
solution in the month prior to the fungal infection diagnosis. On April
13, 2006, Bausch & Lomb, Inc. (NYSE:BOL) recommended that consumers
switch to another lens care solution and asked all retailers to remove
U.S. manufactured ReNu with MoistureLoc(r) from their shelves. On May
2, 2006 the CDC announced that the number of confirmed fungal
infections rose to 88 cases. Just three days later, on May 5, 2006, the
CDC revised the number of confirmed cases to 102.
On May 12, 2006, the CDC made another upward revision in the number of
confirmed fungal eye infections to 122 cases. On May 15, 2006, the FDA
issued a press release stating: “Based on this scientific and
epidemiological data suggesting that ReNu with MoistureLoc may increase
susceptibility to Fusarium, Bausch & Lomb has decided to permanently
remove the ReNu with MoistureLoc product worldwide.” The recall
followed Bausch & Lomb’s conclusion that the product’s formula may
increase the risk of fungal eye infections in certain situations.
Bausch & Lomb, Inc. and the FDA both acknowledged there is a problem in
the chemical properties of ReNu with MoistureLoc(r) after testing
confirmed that the solution allows a polymer film to form around the
Fusarium fungus preventing the disinfectant in the product from killing
the fungus.
Fungal keratitis is a severe infection of the cornea. Risk factors for
infection usually include trauma (generally with plant material),
chronic ocular surface diseases, immunodeficiencies, and, rarely,
contact lens use. An estimated 30 million people in the United States
wear soft contact lenses; the annual incidence of microbial keratitis
is estimated to be 4 – 21 per 10,000 soft contact lens users. Fungal
keratitis is a condition more prevalent in warm climates. First-line
treatment includes topical and oral antifungal medications. Patients
who do not respond to treatment usually require surgical intervention,
including corneal transplantation. These infections are not transmitted
from person to person.
About Parker Waichman Alonso LLP:
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is leading the litigation against Bausch &
Lomb, Inc. on behalf of people injured as a result of using ReNu with
MoistureLoc(r) Contact Lens Solution. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has
also filed a medical monitoring class-action suit against Bausch &
Lomb, Inc. seeking compensation for medical evaluations for all people
who used ReNu with MoistureLoc.
Parker Waichman Alonso LLP is a leading products liability and personal
injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has
offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker Waichman Alonso LLP has
assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for
injuries resulting from defective products, medications and medical
devices.
For more information on Parker Waichman Alonso LLP, please visit:
www.yourlawyer.com or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the
Class Action Newsline at www.primenewswire.com/ca.
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CONTACT: Parker Waichman Alonso LLP
David Krangle, Esq.
(800) LAW-INFO
(800) 529-4636
info@yourlawyer.com
www.yourlawyer.com
