There are over 30 million US contact lens users, which creates a secondary market with high demand for contact lens cases, solutions and rewetting drops. In most cases, these products are very safe-- especially when the company producing the solutions you put in your eye are multi-billion dollar health companies such as Bausch & Lomb. However, that's exactly what happened when in April Bausch & Lomb suspended shipment of their ReNu Contact Lens Solution with MoistureLoc.
According to reports, a harmful eye fungus called Fungal Keratitis appeared in 28 out of 30 people who wore soft contact lenses and an overwhelming majority of them used ReNu saline. This eye disease, which can encompass the whole cornea, can cause occular ulcers and lesions that require surgery to correct. Symptoms of this disease are blurry vision, sensitivity to light, eye pain and discomfort with a scratchy sand-like feeling. Other side effects associated with contracting Fungal or Fusarium Keratitis are other infections (sometimes bacterial) in the eye, glaucoma and permanent scarring of the eye and cornea. These symptoms are very common in many eye issues, but if you experience these symptoms and wear soft contcat lenses, you should seek immediate medical attention and tell your physician that you are a soft contact lens wearer.
This problem, while bad enough, was compounded when it took more than two weeks for Bausch and Lomb to suspend it's ReNu Soft Contact Lens Solution with MoistureLoc. Company spokespersons have repeatedly apologized for the delay stating they wish they could, "go back" and suspend the shipments of their contact lens solution quicker. Unfortunately, an apology does not change the fact that a known product that could cause fungal eye infections was left on the shelves of stores for an unusually long time when compared to other recalls of defective products.
Now, the company is facing increasing scrutiny from government agencies such as the CDC and FDA, and personal injury lawsuits have already been activated against Bausch and Lomb for damages from using their contact lens product. If you have contracted any form of Keratitis (fungal or Fusarium) from using ReNu Contact Lens saline, contact a lawyer to discuss your options. You may be elligible for compensation for your medical bills and possibly punitive damages from using their tainted solution.