Posted on 04/11/2006 12:53:10 PM PDT by lauriehelds
WASHINGTON — Bausch & Lomb voluntarily suspended shipment of a contact lens solution after federal health officials linked it Monday to a fungal eye infection that can cause temporary blindness.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is investigating 109 reports of Fusarium keratitis infection in patients in 17 states since June 2005.
Federal and state health officials have interviewed just 30 of those patients. However, of the 28 who wore soft contact lens, however, 26 reported using Bausch & Lomb's ReNu brand contact lens solution or a generic type of solution also made by the Rochester, N.Y., company.
Bausch & Lomb said it would temporarily suspend shipments of ReNu with MoistureLoc made at its Greenville, S.C., plant.
"The CDC data released today are both troubling and perplexing, as there is an apparent disproportionate representation of U.S.-manufactured ReNu with MoistureLoc in the underlying data. The source of these infections has not been determined," company chairman and chief executive officer Ronald Zarrella said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
I wonder how much of the market Renu has. Does the infection rate correlate to the percentage of people who use that solution on that type of lens? I've worn soft lenses (disposables) for 10+ years now, and have always used Renu.
I've wondered as well....Doesn't seem to be an exact correlation....but they have to cover their bases...
With 3 teens just starting to wear contacts, we blow thru tons of lens solution. I recently bought a 3-pak of generic stuff at Sam's club. Just checked the label -it's made in Spain. Renu makes my eyes itch, but their rewetting drops are absolutely the best!
Time for LASIK, everyone. ;)
I use the Equate brand at Wal Mart. It is made in Greenville SC. Wonder if it's B&L?
I use Clear Care. It is the hydrogen peroxide solution that Ciba Vision makes.
Seems to work pretty good.
Get it at Wal-Mart.
As an update, Wal-Mart says B & L does not make their Equate brand Multi Purpose solution.
Uh oh!
This is exactly what I am using now.
No problems though. Thank the Lord! ;-)<
Oh my! I usually buy Renu, but noticed for some reason that my husband bought me the store brand instead last time.
Come to think of it, last time I used Renu my eyes felt really weird during the second week of use. Sometimes things would blur. Figured it was just dryness, since it didn't happen until we went camping. When I came back same problem. Changed into a new pair, still the same. Don't know if I haven't had any problems now is because I am using a different solution or if it's because we finally got rain and moisture is back in the air.
I have pretty much used this for over 8 years.
When they came out with the NO RUB...I loved it. But I still clean them ever so often. Just not as much as before.
I like it personally. Never had a problem with the solution.
Mine was manufactured in N.Y, as best as I can tell.
I am an Optometrist and if you are using the same pair of contact lenses after 6 years you are begging for trouble, no matter how well you take care of them. You are running the risk of infections and possibly even corneal ulcers which are sight, no eye, threatening. Honestly, you can loose an eye to the right type of infection. Run, don't walk, to your nearest Optometrist and get some new lenses!
That being said, the hydrogen peroxide solutions are really good at disinfecting and cleaning soft lenses which is why yours have lasted so long, but 6 years is wwwwaaaayyy too long.
Hi,I have used the walmart brand equate also, i was wondering if you have heard that this brand is a generic of the B & L? should i stop using it? have you?please email me back at: rox2004@yahoo.com
thanks
My wife's eyes have been bloodshot red for the past week and she used that stuff.
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