Dangerous Contact Lens Solution Recall – Tennessee Lawyers and Lawsuits

It is estimate that hundreds of contact lens wearers and dozens of Tennesseans injured by ReNu with MoistureLoc and Complete MoisturePlus contact lens solutions remain unaware of the recall of these 1-step lens cleaning solutions and the serious injuries these solutions caused. Class action and individual lawsuits by Tennesseans are still being filed against Baush & Lomb and AMO, the respective lens solution makers, to compensate injured contact lens wearers for the dangerous operations, their pain, and loss of vision caused by defective lens solutions.

AMO’s Complete MoisturePlus injuries were caused by Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK), a water-borne parasite that can lead to serious debilitating eye infections. ReNu with MoistureLoc (manufactured by Bausch & Lomb) no-rub solutions were recalled because the fungal infection Fusarium keratitis. Eyes of sufferers of these severe eye infections become irritated, sometimes with very sharp, stinging pains like grains of sand in one’s eye. The infected eye may ooze or become red and swollen. Many injured Tennesseans who suffered were dismissed by their doctors who suggested the patient might have swum in dirty pools or had unclean eye habits.

Both these contact lens products were subject to Class 1 recalls after demonstrating a reasonable chance of serious adverse health consequences. While FDA administrators have alerted health care professionals and some users of soft contact lenses about the recall, recent court findings have suggested these manufacturers chose to not act responsibly in notifying consumers and retailers about the dangers of their contact lens care products. Additionally, the South Carolina plant manufacturing ReNu with MoistureLoc had been cited by FDA inspectors a number of times for failing to maintain health compliance.

Now, after years of 1-step, no-rub contact lens cleaners causing injuries, necessitating injury lawsuits and recalls, FDA officials have decided to review contact lens cleaners in June. While the culprit remains the failure of AMO and Bausch & Lomb to check the quality of their contact lens solutions, FDA investigators are also looking at improving labeling to have customers to “rub and rinse” lenses before storage to remove germs. Studies suggest the older, peroxide-based cleaners with a two-step cleaning process are better at cleaning and removing dangerous parasites. But it’s hard for the manufacturers of Complete MoisturePlus and ReNu with MoistureLoc to turn a profit on the tried, tested, and true; a faster buck’s made by advertising what’s new and easy to use–even if easy and new leaves you with a glass eye and hospital bills.

CAUTION ALL CONTACT LENS USERS: You should never reuse old lens solution or mix new lens solution with old. Nor should you rinse your contact case with anything other than solution. This step should be taken by all contact lens wearers; rinsing with water instead of solution may be related to the Complete MoisturePlus lens solution recall as the parasite’s spreads in the presence of water.

Working with our Nashville personal injury lawyers can help you recovery wages from missed work, hospital bills, and loss of quality of life that eye injuries and that Renu’s and MoisturePlus’ bacteria caused. HHP has the expertise to take on the big company lawyers. Call me, attorney Jim Higgins, at (615) 353-0930 for a free initial consultation or contact us through the Tennessee personal injury form.