US Probe Over Contact Lens Product

Archives Admin · #1 (**permalink**) 04-17-2006, 01:26 PM

A popular eye-care product used to clean, disinfect and store contact lenses, which is widely available in Cyprus, is being investigated in the United States.

The Acting Director of the Competition and Consumer Protection Services, Leontios Pericleous, said: “Our inspectors are currently keeping an eye on the situation, but RAPEX, the EU rapid alert system for dangerous consumer products has not notified us of any potential risks to Cypriot consumers.”

The product in question, ReNu, manufactured by Bausch & Lomb, is being looked into by the Centre for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration in the US, who are investigating 109 reports of fungal keratitis around the nation. However, they have yet to conclude that the product is a cause. It was also unclear how many of the reported cases actually involved ReNu, according to the agencies.

Fungal keratitis is a painful inflammation of the cornea that can, in some cases, lead to blindness. The infection, caused by a fungus found in the environment, can appear as a result of eye injury, improper use of contact lenses or contaminated contact-lens products.

“Every additional test indicates the formulation is as safe and effective as anything else on the market,” said Bausch & Lomb Chief Executive Ronald Zarrella.

In Cyprus, ReNu is one of three contact lens solutions that are readily available.

However, Theofanides, one of the biggest opticians on the island, urged people not to worry.

A statement issued by Bausch & Lomb yesterday said: “We have temporarily suspended shipments in the US of ReNu with MoistureLoc Multi-Purpose Solution produced at our South Carolina manufacturing facility in order to facilitate further investigation. ReNu products manufactured at our US facility are not distributed within Europe, the Middle East and Africa. All ReNu multi-purpose solutions sold in the above areas are manufactured by Bausch & Lomb at its facility in Milan, Italy.

The health and safety of our customers is our primary concern. No scientific data exists to suggest a causal relationship between any Bausch & Lomb products and the incidences reported. No unusual trends of fungal keratitis have been reported within Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“Bausch & Lomb is co-operating with health authorities and leading experts in the fields of microbiology, epidemiology and ophthalmology in a multi-pronged, multi-national effort to determine the root cause of the incidences.”

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US Probe Over Contact Lens Product

Contact Lenses