ReNu with MoistureLoc Recall
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Fusarium keratitis?
- How can I tell if I have Fusarium keratitis?
- What are the symptoms of Fusarium keratitis?
- How does one get Fusarium keratitis?
- How many cases of Fusarium keratitis have been reported since the outbreak began?
- What is the proper treatment for Fusarium keratitis?
- How can fungal keratitis infections be prevented?
- I think I have an eye infection. What should I do?
- What financial compensation can I recover in a pharmaceutical product liability claim?
- What is pharmaceutical product liability?
- I understand why I need to see a doctor immediately, but why do I need a lawyer right away?
Fusarium keratitis is a serious fungal infection of the cornea; the clear, round dome that covers the iris and pupil of the eye. It can cause serious and permanent injury to the cornea, sometimes to the extent that corneal transplant surgery is required.
How can I tell if I have Fusarium keratitis?
You probably can’t. Even your eye doctor will probably have some difficulty in diagnosing it without laboratory tests.
What are the symptoms of Fusarium keratitis?
While the symptoms may vary from one person to another, they usually include:
- Sudden blurry vision
- Unusual redness of the eye
- Pain in the eye
- Excessive tearing or discharge from your eye
- Hypersensitivity to light
How does one get Fusarium keratitis?
Under ordinary circumstances, Fusarium infections are rare and are triggered by a variety of causes, including trauma (especially when plant material gets into the eye), immune system problems, chronic disease of the surface of the eye, and, as now exposed, by wearing contact lenses. The infection is not transmitted from person to person, however.
In mid-2005, an unusual increase in Fusarium keratitis cases among contact lens wearers was observed first in Asia, and then spread worldwide. The cause of the upsurge has been linked to using a Bausch & Lomb lens solution called ReNu with MoistureLoc. The company has since withdrawn the product from the market worldwide, with a consumer recommendation to stop using it immediately.
How many cases of Fusarium keratitis have been reported since the outbreak began?
As of May 9, 2006, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had received reports of 106 confirmed cases. Cases have been confirmed in Arkansas, Arizona, California, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Vermont, and also in Puerto Rico. Additionally, as of that date, cases were still under investigation in Indiana, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, Oregon and Rhode Island.
What is the proper treatment for Fusarium keratitis?
Typically, the infection is treated with topical and oral antifungal medications, but it is not successful with all patients. Sometimes eye surgery is required, and in some cases, corneal transplant is the only viable alternative.
How can fungal keratitis infections be prevented?
The risk of infection can be substantially reduced by safe handling, storage and cleaning of contact lenses and, of course, by avoiding the use of ReNu with MoistureLoc. Additionally, many eye care professionals recommend a “rub and rinse” lens cleaning method.
I think I have an eye infection. What should I do?
If you think you have an eye infection, you should schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist immediately. If you do have Fusarium keratitis, early diagnosis and treatment are your best chance to avoid blindness.
You should:
- Stop using Bausch & Lomb with MoistureLoc immediately
- Talk to your doctor about alternative solutions
- Use the “rub and rinse method” rather than no rub solutions
- Maintain hygiene when putting in and taking out contacts
Don’t delay scheduling an appointment, and if the diagnosis is Fusarium keratitis, contact a qualified and experienced ReNu litigation attorney, as listed on this site, as soon as possible.
What financial compensation can I recover in a pharmaceutical product liability claim?
Those injured by unsafe products are ordinarily entitled to recover monetary damages for all losses and expenses suffered from use of the product. Depending upon the particular circumstances of your case, damages may include recovery for any of the following:
- Medical bills
- Lost income, including overtime wages
- Pain & Suffering
- Physical Disability
- Disfigurement
- Emotional Trauma
Additionally, some states provide recovery for “loss of enjoyment of life,” or “diminished capacity to pursue an established course of life.”
What is pharmaceutical product liability?
Product liability is a legal term used to describe a special duty the law imposes on all manufacturers, including pharmaceutical companies. A person injured by some hidden defect in a product while using the product for its intended purposes does not have to prove the manufacturer was negligent in order to receive financial compensation. In fact, even with proof that the manufacturer was not negligent and could not have foreseen the product defect that caused the injury, a legal claim for compensation may still remain valid.
This rule (sometimes called “strict liability” or “absolute liability,”) has more to do with social policy than with purely legal matters. The idea behind it is to avoid placing the risk of catastrophic loss on an individual consumer. The manufacturer can purchase insurance to cover such claims, increasing the price of the manufactured product to cover the cost of insurance. In this way, the risk of catastrophic loss is divided among all purchasers of the product.
I understand why I need to see a doctor immediately, but why do I need a lawyer right away?
Your claim is subject to one of more state or federal Statutes of Limitations. These are laws limiting the time in which a lawsuit must be filed, and they vary from state to state and between state and federal law. If your claim is not already settled, or a lawsuit filed on your behalf within the time frame set by the Statute, you will be barred from receiving any financial or other compensation, no matter how serious your injury or how strong your claim.
Any one of the qualified and experienced class action law firms listed on this site can make certain that your claim is filed properly, and on time. A skilled and dedicated ReNu litigation attorney is standing by to take your case and fight for your legal rights. Please call today.