Fungal Keratitis- Several Aspects

Bausch & Lomb, global manufactures of eye care products removed its one of the most popular and widely used Renu Multi-Purpose Contact Lens Solution from the market after it was found that the use of this solution could cause an eye infection called fungal keratitis. However, Bausch & Lomb are unaware that the fungal keratitis leads to serious eye damages including permanent and temporary blindness.

Fungal Keratitis and its Causes

Fungal keratitis is an irritation or infection of the ocular cornea, a dome-shaped surface covering the sensitive front of the eye.

There are several type of corneal keratitis caused by many factors like ocular trauma that occurs after the foreign body enters the eye , bacteria, parasites and fungi and deficiency of Vitamin – A. The fungus Fusarium causes the fungal keratitis. The Food and Drug Administration and Center for Disease and Control established that the use of Renu with Moisture Loc causes the fungal infection of the cornea.

Symptoms of fungal keratitis

Following are the symptoms of fungal keratitis, an eye infection:

• Teary eyes
• Eye irritation
• Photosensitivity
• Redness
• Ocular discomfort
• Blurry vision

Treatment

The first step involved in the treatment of fungal keratitis is to stop the usage of Renu with Moisture Loc contact lens solution. The standard treatment for fungal keratitis linked with Renu with Moisture Loc is to use 5% eye drops of Natamycin. Another eye drop, Scopolamine is used too. Additionally, oral antifungal medications are prescribed.  In some cases, surgical transplant is also required.

Corneal Transplant

A corneal transplant is a surgical procedure in which infected or damaged cornea is replaced by healthy cells. A deceased donor who had no known ocular or other disease usually donates these healthy tissues. This transplant is carried out as an outpatient procedure in an ophthalmologist’s office or a hospital and is generally performed under local anesthesia.

Corneal Ulcer

A corneal ulcer occurs when the cornea is damaged or diseased like in the case of fungal keratitis. These ulcers are linked with a break in the corneal epithelium. Ulcers consist of cells or accumulation of liquid along the damaged cornea.

Legal Advice

If you suffer from an eye injury associated with the use of Renu with Moisture Loc contact lens solution, you may be entitled to receive some monetary compensation. Contact an experienced unsafe drug attorney who will assist you in filing litigation, evaluate your claim and will help you in getting monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain , suffering, future medical care and other causes.