Study Sheds New Light On ReNu With MoistureLoc's Disinfectant Deficiencies and Bausch & Lomb's Delayed Response to the Fungal Outbreak Further Study Needed to Document Outbreak of Bacterial, Acanthamoeba and Viral Keratitis Caused by MoistureLoc as Well as All Varieties of Microbial Keratitis Caused by Multi-Purpose Contact Lens Solutions
NEW YORK, Aug. 31, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- Parker & Waichman, LLP, announced that despite the limitations of the study, it agrees with the major findings detailed in the CDC report on ReNu with MoistureLoc that was published on August 23, 2006 in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). Parker & Waichman, LLP is a leader in the global litigation against Bausch & Lomb, Inc. (NYSE:BOL) on behalf of people injured by the recalled contact lens solution, and had numerous cases pending against Bausch & Lomb in state and federal courts throughout the country. For more information on ReNu with MoistureLoc(tm) please visit http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/renu_contact_solution or http://www.renulawsuit.com.
Parker & Waichman, LLP believes the following findings in the CDC report establish that ReNu with MoistureLoc lacks the necessary sterilization qualities to prevent eye infections with normal lens use.
-- The outbreak of Fusarium keratitis was associated with the use of
ReNu with MoistureLoc
-- The unique properties of ReNu with MoistureLoc formula may have
contributed to the outbreak of fungal infections
-- The Fusarium keratitis was likely caused as a result of extrinsic
contamination of the contact lens solution bottle or contact lens
cases outside the manufacturing or storage process
-- Suboptimal hygiene practice appeared unlikely to contribute to the
outbreak
-- Biofilm on the contact lenses or contact lens cases may have played
a role in the outbreak
-- Some hygiene practices may have facilitated the growth of biofilms
-- Fusarium may have specific qualities promoting adherence and
penetration into the contact lenses that allow survival within
contact lens cases when used with ReNu with MoistureLoc
Parker & Waichman, LLP believes the CDC report did not go far enough as to some of above areas.
The report also indicated that the first report of Fusarium keratitis in the United States was made by Dr. David S. Chu, a New Jersey ophthalmologist and a specialist in cornea diseases on March 8, 2006. This contradicts what Dr. Levy, the Chief Medical Officer of Bausch & Lomb, told the Rochester Democrat Chronicle in their April 21, 2006. In this story Dr. Levy claimed that Bausch & Lomb was the first to notify the CDC of Dr. Chu's report to them. This revelation appears to demonstrate that Bausch & Lomb knew about the association of ReNu with MoistureLoc's link with Fusarium keratitis in the United States at least a month and a half before they notified any regulatory or health agency. This, on top of the notice that Bausch & Lomb had from Asia regarding the association of ReNu with MoistureLoc with Fusarium keratitis is very significant.
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.
In addition, Parker & Waichman has received thousands of inquiries from contact lens wearers who have contracted other types of microbial keratitis including bacterial, acanthamoeba and viral keratitis from other Bausch & Lomb multipurpose contact lens solutions as well as from multipurpose contact lens solutions from other manufacturers.
As the accompanying commentary to the CDC report in the August 23rd edition of JAMA noted, "The broader question that deserves further attention is whether multipurpose contact lens solutions although more convenient to use, are less effective against fungi than lens care systems that use a separate disinfection solution, such as hydrogen peroxide." We think that statement, while enlightening, needed to include the other forms of microbial keratitis.
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. 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. In addition to ReNu with MoistureLoc, Parker & Waichman, LLP is currently representing victims of Guidant Defibrillators, Zyprexa, Ortho Evra Patch, Ketek, Tequin, Fosamax, DES, Mirapex and other defective medications and medical devices. For more information on Parker & Waichman, LLP please visit: http://www.yourlawyer.com or call (800) LAW-INFO ((800) 529-4636).