New York man sues Bausch & Lomb

By Scott Files

Published on April 14, 2006

The case stems from an increase in certain eye infections that were seen by people who used the brand of contact lens solution. Bausch & Lomb has asked retailers across the country to temporarily remove its ReNu MoistureLoc product until they can determine if 109 cases of fungal eye infections are related to the use of MoistureLoc.

Ronald L. Zarella, Bausch & Lomb's chairman of the board said in an issued statement "We find ourselves in a position where the safety of one of our products, ReNu with MoistureLoc, manufactured at our U.S. plant is in question."

Officials became aware of the problem after a New Jersey ophthalmologist called the Centers for Disease Control to report that he had seen three patients within the previous three months with a rare fungal eye infection known as Fusarium Keratitis. Symptoms include eye pain and discomfort, light hypersensitivity and decrease in vision.

So far, federal investigators have found no evidence of contamination at Bausch & Lomb's Greenville, S.C. plant.

The New York suit asks for unspecified damages and for class-action status according to published reports.

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