Bausch & Lomb ReNu Recalled - I think I have this infection

[helderheid]

http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060411/BUSINESS/604110325/1001

B&L product yanked in U.S.

Nishad Majmudar
Staff writer

(April 11, 2006) — Bausch & Lomb Inc. said Monday that it would suspend all U.S. shipments of ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution because of a suspected fungal infection.

The suspension of shipments inside the United States comes after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported 109 U.S. cases of suspected fusarium keratitis, B&L said.

B&L stock lost more than 9 percent of its value in after-hours trading Monday following the announcement.

The company, headquartered in Rochester, employs 1,500 workers locally. The ReNu solution in question is made in Greenville, S.C.

"The CDC has not determined if these reports represent an increase of ... keratitis infections and is continuing to investigate the association, if any, of these cases with any product," B&L Chief Executive Ronald Zarrella said in a statement.


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[helderheid]

1. I was about to call my optometrist about my blurry vision to complain

about my new contacts - I think I may have a more serious problem after hearing this.

[LittleClarkie]

2. Definitely get it checked out

I dunno about you, though, but when I read a list of symptoms I tend to think I have them all. But definitely get checked out.

[helderheid]

4. will do - they were fine (months ago) and about a month ago, everything

went blurry. :(

[helderheid]

6. I tend to be "one of those" :) LOL

:hi:

[cssmall]

3. By all means, do so in the morning tomorrow!

Figure out what it is that is causing your problem.

[helderheid]

5. thanks - will do - hope anyone using the same product will stop using it!

[benburch]

10. What is a good alternative? nt

[helderheid]

11. I just bought something from Alcon

[EOTE]

23. I had 3 eye infections in 4 months while using this stuff.

Just this year I started getting eye infections after using this stuff. Those initial days were some of the most painful of my life. It felt like I had sandpaper on my eyelids. Now that I suspect it was caused by my storage solution, I am VERY angry. My corneal specialist told me I'd have to stop using contacts or wear them very infrequently because of the scaring I was accumulating. Now that it might be related to my storage solution, I don't know what I need to do. To think of all the pain I could have avoided if I used different solution.

[helderheid]

24. I am so sorry to hear it - did you get it treated? If not, you'll need to.

[benburch]

7. Was the "No Rub" product implicated?

And is there a batch number, or is it just the product itself?

[helderheid]

8. yes, No Rub

[Cassandra]

17. No Rub and No Rub, Moisture lock...

are different products. I've been using the regular No Rub for years. OK so far.

[helderheid]

19. see post 16

[Cassandra]

20. I just called my contact lens office.

They said I would have to switch to Alcon Opti-Free Replenish but before I do that I have to soak my lenses for 2-3 days in Ceeba Clear Care (and get new cases) to clean out the previous chemicals. They've been calling people all day but didn't know what I was using. What a drag! I think what the word tarnished meant was PR-type tarnished as a product, not that the product is necessarily bad, but I have to switch anyway.

[helderheid]

21. ugh. I have 2 week disposable lenses so I just threw out the old and

got a new case. Wearing glasses right now until I can see the doctor.

[helderheid]

9. here

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000103&sid=asuNW5ZuX1Ho&refer=us

[orleans]

16. what a drag. i read another article today and it just said

the moistureloc so i bought my no rub which is what i use--thinking that would be okay. and cvs still had all of them on the shelves.

and now i read this:

While ReNu with MoistureLoc accounted for $45 million in 2005 sales, other products in the ReNu line may also be tarnished,

(crap! it's going back! i need to go blind like a freaking hole in the head!)

[Hissyspit]

12. Thanks, helderheid. I had not heard of this.

Hope your eyes turn out to be o.k.

[helderheid]

13. thanks - me too!

[LizW]

14. Threw my bottle of ReNu away last night.

I didn't use the MoistureLoc type, but I'm not taking any chances.

[Beausoir]

15. Is it just the MoistureLoc? I used Renu No-Rub and I suddenly developed

a VERY nasty infection. My Eye doc had no clue as to what started it.

I've worn contacts for years upon years with no problem. All of the sudden..overnight....I get an infection and can't wear them any longer.

I am going to be monitoring this very closely.

[helderheid]

18. I would go back to the doc now that this news is out and have him/her

look for this specifically. I am making an appointment with my doc today and bringing back the solution (CostCo is sooo good about giving refunds).

[helderheid]

22. Have an appointment tomorrow to check my eyes

[helderheid]

25. more news on this:

http://www.forbes.com/2006/04/12/bausch-lomb-moistureloc-cx_gl_0412autofacescan11.html