ReNu Recall

Bausch and Lomb is an American company based in Rochester, New York, which specializes in medical optics such as contact lenses and surgical instruments. The company was founded in 1853 by Germans John Jacob Bausch and Henry Lomb. It employs over 10,000 people today.

In addition to its eye care products, Bausch & Lomb's pharmaceutical division makes prescription and over-the-counter eye medication; its surgical unit makes equipment for cataract and other eye related surgery. Bausch & Lomb markets its products in more than 100 countries worldwide.

Bausch & Lomb Chairman and CEO Ron Zarrella stated: "Bausch & Lomb's first priority is the health and safety of consumers. If there is a problem with our product, we'll find it and we'll fix it. If there's not, when we come back you'll be able to know with absolute certainty that we've taken every possible step to ensure your safety."

In January, 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated that of the 180 infection victims confirmed so far in the United States, 59 needed cornea transplants to try to restore their vision. 

In addition, it should be noted that without eye drop treatment, which can take two to three months, the infection can scar the cornea and cause blindness.

If you believe you may have an eye infection and have used ReNu with MoistureLoc, you should contact your doctor immediately.

Symptoms of fungal keratitis include:

• Eye discomfort or pain
• Redness
• Tearing
• Swelling
• Decrease in vision
• Blurry vision
• Increased light sensitivity; and
• Discharge

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should contact your eye doctor immediately.

Laboratory results take time to get back, so your doctor may place you on antibiotics pending results. Should fungal treatment be warranted, topical or oral anti-fungal agents may be used. In some cases, surgical intervention is necessary.

What is Fungal Keratitis?

Fungal keratitis is a serious and painful disease of the cornea caused by a fungal organism. Until now, fungal keratitis has rarely been reported in the healthy contact lens wearing population. It typically occurs after trauma associated with plant matter or in immuno-compromised individuals. The higher incidence of fungal keratitis among normal contact lens wearers is a new finding.

If medication does not work and the eye is damaged, surgery may be necessary to remove fungal ulcers/lesions. Symptoms of fungal keratitis include eye pain, eye discomfort, decrease in vision and light hypersensitivity.

Last year, clusters of fungal keratitis were reported by contact-lens users in Asia, and recently Bausch & Lomb voluntarily suspended sales of ReNu solutions in Hong Kong and Singapore after reports of infections among users there. The product sold there was made at the South Carolina plant.