Alexidine is a disinfectant that traditionally has been used in mouthwash solutions. Its first use in contact lens solutions was in ReNu with MoistureLoc, thus it is a “new” product in this arena. It is believed that Alexidine is the cause or is a partial cause of the problems with this product. The current theory is that ReNu with MoistureLoc does not have sufficient disinfectant efficacy — though it is currently unknown whether it starts out with insufficient efficacy or loses efficacy over time sitting on the shelf — to fight the Fusarium fungus, which is very common.

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/fn/4748654.html
April 25, 2007 — Bausch & Lomb Inc. said Wednesday its annual profit fell 22 percent in 2006 when sales of contact lens care products were hurt by the ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens recall blamed for an outbreak of severe fungal eye infections.
The eye-care products company filed a delayed 2006 annual report with federal regulators saying it earned $14.9 million or 27 cents a share, in 2006, which was down from $19.2 million or 35 cents a share in 2005.
In May 2006, Bausch & Lomb permanently withdrew its new formula ReNu with MoistureLoc from markets around the world when federal regulators called the multipurpose cleaner the root cause of an outbreak of Fusarium keratitis infections.
Blinding infections surfaced in Asia during fall 2005 and an unusual number of victims began showing up in U.S. eye centers last winter. The company stopped selling MoistureLoc in Hong Kong and Singapore in February 2006 but only halted U.S. shipments in April 2006.
Several hundred people will seek damages for Fusarium keratitis infections in trials beginning as early as this summer. If you, a friend, or family member used a Bausch & Lomb contact lens solution and had a serious eye infection – now is the time to contact a lawyer who can help you file a fungal infection lawsuit.

Children under 12 years of age and teenagers both benefit greatly from contact lens wear and perceive an improvement in quality of life one-week and one-month after changing from eyeglasses to contact lenses according to findings from a multi-site study comparing the two groups.

Bausch & Lomb (BOL) had hired temporary workers to ramp up production of its PureVision contact lens. The company said changing business conditions account for these latest adjustments. Plants affected by the cuts are in Waterford, Ireland; Livingston, Scotland; and Rochester, N.Y. The company did not say whether the reductions would affect results.

Bausch & Lomb Inc. is in for slower growth from new competition, a weak pipeline, financial troubles, and a recent product withdrawal, ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution. ReNu Lawsuits are just the start of their problems.

A 13-year-old boy suffered severe damage to his vision after using ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution which caused a rare fungus in his eye. That family is now suing Bausch and Lomb, the contact lens solution manufacturer, along with the store that sold it. The parents are also suing the optometrist who examined the teen but failed to diagnose the fungal eye infection problem. (Read More…)

Contact lens wearers are more at risk to contracting eye infections than those who wear glasses or have perfect vision. In fact, women are more prone to eye infections than men. However, people are becoming more aware of eye infections due to a number of cases made public in March. Read More about Contact Lens Wearers at risk from ReNu.

http://www.canada.com/vancouversun/
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Fungal infection problems have been found in Canada. When fungal eye infections exist, it is a race against time. A failure to treat in time can result in blindness. This was the case for a Canadian teenager.
The treatement given by pharmacists is an anti-fungal treatment called boriconazole. Although the contact lens solution was not distributed in Canada, the patient was from Australia and picked it up on her worldwide travels.
ReNu with MoistureLoc was pulled from the marketplace last spring, but some bottles still exist that have the dangerous formula. A 15 year old patient was still using the contact lens solution when she came to visit her eye doctor. Her eyes were red and infected with corneal ulcers. When she brought in the contact lens solution she continued to use, she was immediately diagnosed with fungal eye infection.

Patients Suffering from Vision Loss Due to Fusarium Keratitis
On August 15, IntraLase Corp. announced that patients requiring corneal transplant surgery resulting from the recent outbreak of fusarium keratitis eye infection caused by ReNu with MoistureLoc can take advantage of the benefits of corneal transplantation. Four of the top ophthalmic centers in the country will be providing the laser-enabled corneal transplant procedures. (Read more about free corneal transplant sugery.)

One-day contact lenses are designed for active lifestyles. With no lens care needed, users do not need to worry about harmful solutions. One-day lens are also supposed to protect eyes from harmful UV rays. (The Star)