Common contact lense solution linked to infection

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are investigating more than 100 cases of an eye infection caused by the fungus Fusarium. Of the reported cases, a high number of affected people have used the Bausch and Lomb contact solution ReNu with MoistureLoc.

Since the discovery of this eye-opening information, Bausch and Lomb suspended U.S. shipments of the ReNu with MoistureLoc product. The suspension will last until the company finds further information about the link between their product and the infections. While the correlation between infected persons and MoistureLoc users is high, there is no evidence proving that the product is the cause of the fungus.

Still, this link is enough of a concern for local optometrists to remove the brand from its shelves.

Gary Joyce, optometrist at the Lawrence Optometric Clinic, 930 Iowa Street, said it doesn't make sense to stock the contact solution if Bausch and Lomb isn't shipping the product in the U.S.

"We don't have the MoistureLoc now. We've thrown it away until it's again on the market. We'll consider using it again of course, but at the moment we're not," Joyce said.

Joyce said that long-term users of this product should not worry about the fungus if they haven't shown any signs of infection. He said patients should discontinue use of the solution to ensure they don't develop symptoms.

"My advice would be to take your half-full bottle of this ReNu with MoistureLoc back to where you got it," Joyce said.

Until the cause of the infections is found, Bausch and Lomb also recommends that users of ReNu with MoistureLoc stop using the product and switch to a different solution made by either Bausch and Lomb or another trusted brand.