Bausch and Lomb: Solution scare has produced valuable data

Bausch & Lomb has claimed that the withdrawal of its MoistureLoc contact lens solution following reported outbreaks of fusarium keratitis has provided the company with valuable new information.

The company was forced to withdraw MoistureLoc after some users in the US developed fusarium keratitis, a type of fungal inflammation affecting the cornea. Although cases were not generally seen outside the US, Bausch & Lomb withdrew the product, although continued to market its MultiPlus solution, which was not affected.

However, despite the expense of withdrawing MoistureLoc, the eye care company claims that some important lessons have been learned that could be of benefit in the future.

A company statement read: “Our intense and extensive investigation into the Fusarium situation, combined with scientifically rigorous independent reports such as the Centres for Disease Control’s, has produced an exceptional body of valuable intellectual property…”

“[We] will use [this] to develop new and innovative products to meet the needs of consumers and eye care practitioners,” the company concluded.

Bausch & Lomb welcomed a recent article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association entitled “Multistate Outbreak of Fusarium Keratitis Associated With Use of a Contact Lens Solution”.

The company said it served an “important educational mission”. As well as contact lens products, Bausch & Lomb produces various drugs including steroid eye drops and ointments, as well as tools for cataract and vitreoretinal surgery.

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