NEW YORK, May 10, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Parker & Waichman, LLP (http://www.yourlawyer.com) announced that it has been retained by more than 30 consumers who suffered significant eye injuries after having used ReNu MultiPlus Multi-Purpose Solution. More than 10 of these retained clients either have undergone or will require corneal transplant surgery. ReNu with MoistureLoc and ReNu MultiPlus are manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, Inc. (NYSE:BOL). For more information on fungal infections associated with ReNu products please visit: http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/renu_contact_solution/ or http://www.renulawsuit.com.
In an update issued yesterday by the CDC concerning its ongoing Fusarium Keratitis investigation, the agency indicated that ReNu MultiPlus was used in 21% of confirmed Fusarium cases. With the release of the CDC data, Parker & Waichman, LLP believes that Renu MultiPlus poses a health hazard to consumers similar to that posed by ReNu with MoistureLoc, and calls upon Bausch & Lomb, Inc. to immediately recall all ReNu products from the market. "This is a public health hazard that is escalating," commented Jerrold Parker, founding partner of Parker & Waichman, LLP. "Until further information is available to substantiate the safety of Bausch & Lomb's ReNu contact lens solutions, the only prudent course is to recall the products to prevent additional infections."
On April 13, 2006, Bausch & Lomb, Inc. advised consumers to switch to another lens care solution and asked all retailers to remove ReNu with MoistureLoc from their shelves. This action came after the FDA and the CDC issued public health warnings on April 10, 2006, concerning serious fungal infections associated with contact lens solution use. Yesterday, the CDC issued an update on its investigation into Fusarium Keratitis, revealing that ReNu products were used in 97 percent of the confirmed cases of infection. Among confirmed Fusarium patients, 66% used ReNu with MoistureLoc, 21% used ReNu MultiPlus, and 10% used an unspecified ReNu product. To date, Bausch & Lomb, Inc. has not asked consumers to stop using ReNu MultiPlus solution, and the product remains available in stores nationwide.
Fusarium keratitis is a severe infection of the cornea. Risk factors for infection usually include trauma (generally with plant material), chronic ocular surface diseases, immunodeficiencies, and, rarely, contact lens use. An estimated 30 million persons in the United States wear soft contact lenses; the annual incidence of microbial keratitis is estimated to be 4-21 per 10,000 soft contact lens users. Fusarium keratitis is more prevalent in warm climates. First-line treatment includes topical and oral antifungal medications; patients who do not respond to these treatments usually require surgical intervention, including corneal transplantation. These fungal infections are not transmitted from person to person.
About Parker & Waichman, LLP
Parker & Waichman, LLP is a leading products liability and personal injury law firm that represents plaintiffs nationwide. The firm has offices in New York and New Jersey. Parker & Waichman, LLP has assisted thousands of clients in receiving fair compensation for injuries resulting from defective medications and medical devices including: Ortho Evra, Vioxx, Bextra, Zyprexa, Fen Phen, Guidant Defibrillators and Medtronic Pacemakers. Parker & Waichman, LLP has been retained by more than 200 individuals who suffered serious eye injuries after using a ReNu product and currently has cases pending in state and federal courts. Parker & Waichman, LLP was the first law firm nationwide to file a class action on behalf of victims of ReNu with MoistureLoc. The class action seeks, among other remedies, a medical monitoring fund to enable consumers to obtain medical screening and treatment services. For more information on Parker & Waichman, LLP please visit: (http://www.yourlawyer.com) or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).
More information on this and other class actions can be found on the Class Action Newsline at www.primezone.com/ca