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in this section: FDA ReNu Recall | W & L Press Release | FDA: Failure to Report, 11.06 | B&L Responds: ReNu FDA Letter 11.06 | FDA Warning | Litigation Proliferates, 10.07 | FDA Supports Withdrawal | FDA Public Health Notice | B&L Sales Fall | Bausch & Lomb Press Release | MultiPlus Recall, 3/07 | Study on Infections, 1.29.08

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Severe Infections from ReNu MoistureLoc Result in Need for Corneal Transplants in One-Third of Infected Users

August, 23, 2006, New York, NY (BusinessWire)—A US research report revealed that one-third of patients with a serious eye infection associated with the ReNu with MoistureLoc product had such severe infections that they had or will need a corneal transplant. Nationally-recognized mass torts and personal injury law firm Weitz & Luxenberg has spearheaded litigation related to the dangerous contact-lens solution, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb (NYSE: BOL), filing its first of several corneal transplant cases with the State Supreme Court of New York on May 5, 2006, court index # 106201/06.

Bausch & Lomb has made the argument that the outbreak of Fusarium keratitis, a rare but serious corneal infection, was largely caused by users of ReNu with MoistureLoc who failed to properly clean their lenses and regularly change the storage solution. The report, published in the Aug. 23/30 edition of the Journal of the American Medical Association, challenges this contention, finding that individual user practices were not relevant in the incidences of the fungal infection.

“Adding insult to injury is the recent campaign by Bausch & Lomb in print and television media, which focuses on improper use of the product, seemingly seeking to shift the blame and portray infected users as responsible,” says Paul J. Pennock, Director of Weitz & Luxenberg’s drug and medical device litigation unit. “The findings of this study put that theory to rest,” Pennock added.

The study, “Multistate Outbreak of Fusarium Keratitis Associated with use of Contact Lens Solution,” formally concludes that ReNu with MoistureLoc was responsible for the outbreak of potentially blinding fungal eye infections in the last year. The research was based on 164 confirmed cases of Fusarium keratitis in the U.S. from June 2005 to April 2006. Bausch & Lomb finally issued a world-wide recall of ReNu with MoistureLoc later in May 2006.

While comprehensive, the JAMA study, whose lead author is Dr. Douglas, C. Chang, is limited in scope by two major factors. First, it does not examine those users who were infected before June 2005 and after April 10, 2006. Second, it does not account for the users who were treated for eye-related medical issues but were not diagnosed as specifically being infected with the Fusarium fungus. To the latter point, fungus can be highly difficult to diagnose and treat.

Weitz & Luxenberg has been contacted by hundreds of contact lens wearers who claim that they have been harmed by using ReNu. The firm expects more people will come forward in the coming months as more injured patients are identified. People who have been injured by ReNu with MoistureLoc should fill out the form below for a free case evaluation.

Click To Talk To Us Online

Please complete the following questionnaire:

How long have you worn contact lenses?
How long have you been using ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution?
Have you developed: fungal eye infection
any loss of vision
Were you using ReNu with MoistureLoc in the month prior to your eye infection?Yes
No
Have you sought treatment from a physician for your symptoms?Yes
No
Have you had a corneal transplant?Yes
No
Have you been told by a Doctor that you may need a corneal transplant?Yes
No
If yes to any of the above, please describe:
Additional Comments/Questions
Name
Email
Phone Number

Weitz & Luxenberg Files Lawsuit Against Bausch & Lomb for Corneal Transplant Required After Use of ReNu with MoistureLoc

Monday May 8, 8:00 am ET

NEW YORK, May 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Manhattan Law Firm Weitz & Luxenberg, P.C. announces today that it has filed a lawsuit against Bausch & Lomb, the makers of the contact lens solution ReNu with MoistureLoc. Weitz & Luxenberg is investigating numerous cases and preparing to file more cases in the following days.

On April 13, 2006, Bausch & Lomb pulled ReNu with MoistureLoc from suppliers' shelves over mounting concerns that the product is being linked to over 100 cases of a rare fungal eye infection, Fusarium Keratitis, in ReNu with MoistureLoc users across the Country.

In a statement made on April 14, 2006, the FDA supported the pull of the product from the shelves as the CDC continues to investigate Bausch & Lomb's plant in South Carolina where ReNu with MoistureLoc is manufactured. A similar outbreak occurred in Asia earlier this year prompting Bausch & Lomb to pull ReNu with MoistureLoc from shelves there. Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong are also supplied ReNu with MoistureLoc from Bausch & Lomb's South Carolina plant.

Furthermore, on May 3, 2006 it was revealed that the CDC has informed Bausch & Lomb that they are concerned that the problem may not be isolated to ReNu with MoistureLoc, but might also affect other Bausch & Lomb products including ReNu MultiPlus.

Weitz & Luxenberg, which recently obtained a successful Vioxx verdict against Merck, has filed a lawsuit on behalf of one of their clients who was diagnosed with Fusarium Keratitis after using ReNu with MoistureLoc. The Plaintiff, a resident of suburban Philadelphia, used ReNu with MoistureLoc and was infected with the suspect fungal infection. The infection was so grave she required a corneal transplant. Since then, she has endured months of medical treatment. This fungus, not only being linked to serious eye injuries, including corneal damage, can also lead to blindness.

Because of the serious nature of these injuries, Weitz & Luxenberg is investigating cases on behalf of people who have used ReNu with MoistureLoc and have suffered eye injuries as a consequence.

People injured by ReNu with MoistureLoc should contact Weitz & Luxenberg by calling Weitz & Luxenberg's Client Relations Department at 800-476-6070 or emailing clientrelations@weitzlux.com. Please also visit Weitz & Luxenberg's website at http://www.weitzlux.com and click on "Breaking News - ReNu" for more up-to-the-minute information.

Press Contact:
David Kufeld
212-558-5682

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If you have developed an severe eye infection resulting in vision loss after using ReNu contact lens solution, you may have a lawsuit claim against the manufacturer, Bausch & Lomb. To inquire about your possible ReNu lawsuit, fill out the form below for a free case evaluation. We will be in touch shortly.


Click To Talk To Us Online

Please complete the following questionnaire:

How long have you worn contact lenses?
How long have you been using ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution?
Have you developed: fungal eye infection
any loss of vision
Were you using ReNu with MoistureLoc in the month prior to your eye infection?Yes
No
Have you sought treatment from a physician for your symptoms?Yes
No
Have you had a corneal transplant?Yes
No
Have you been told by a Doctor that you may need a corneal transplant?Yes
No
If yes to any of the above, please describe:
Additional Comments/Questions
Name
Email
Phone Number


see also:

B&L Responds: ReNu FDA Letter 11.06 Bausch & Lomb Responds to FDA Warning Letter on ReNu
B&L Response to FDA on failure to disclose ReNu foreign fungal cases

W & L Press Release Weitz & Luxenberg Press Release: Lawsuit Filed Against Bausch & Lomb
Weitz & Luxenberg Files Lawsuit Against Bausch & Lomb

News & Warnings ReNu Lawsuit - Bausch & Lomb’s Contact Lens Solution News & Warnings
Keep up to date with ReNu Brand contact lens solution News & Warnings

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