Parker & Waichman, LLP Files Suit Against Bausch & Lomb, Inc. on Behalf of Man who was Diagnosed with Fusarium Keratitis after Using ReNu with MoistureLoc Solution

Fungal Infection Led to Corneal Transplant and Permanent Loss of Vision

NEW YORK, May 12, 2006 -- Parker & Waichman, LLP (http://www.yourlawyer.com) announced that it filed a suit on behalf of a man diagnosed with Fusarium keratitis after using ReNu with MoistureLoc(tm) solution, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, Inc. (NYSE: BOL). The suit was filed in United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida. For more information on ReNu with MoistureLoc(tm) please visit http://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/renu_contact_solution or http://www.renulawsuit.com.

In this case, the individual was diagnosed with Fusarium keratitis in his left eye after using ReNu with MoistureLoc(tm). As a result of the fungal infection, several procedures were performed on the eye to remove the fungus. These procedures failed to remove the fungus resulting in the need for a corneal transplant. At the time of filing of the lawsuit, it was too soon to know if the transplant would be successful. There is an 80% cornea rejection rate in patients receiving a cornea transplant who have been diagnosed with Fusarium keratitis. It is likely that the individual will require additional corneal transplants in the future.

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. This week, 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.

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 a condition 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. The firm currently represents victims of Ortho Evra, Vioxx, Zyprexa, Guidant Defibrillators, Accutane, Paxil and other defective drugs and medical devices. For more information on Parker & Waichman, LLP please visit: (http://www.yourlawyer.com) or call 1-800-LAW-INFO (1-800-529-4636).

CONTACT: Parker & Waichman, LLP
Jason Mark, Esq.
Melanie H. Muhlstock, Esq.
1-800-LAW-INFO
1-800-529-4636, Toll-free
info@yourlawyer.com
http://www.yourlawyer.com

Contact Information

Jason Mark

Esq.

Parker & Waichman, LLP

Contact via E-mail