Rochester-based Bausch & Lomb removes MoistureLoc contact lens

Daily Record (Rochester, NY), May 17, 2006 by Daily Record Staff

Bausch & Lomb announced earlier this week that it is permanently removing its ReNu with MoistureLoc contact lens solution from worldwide markets.

Health authorities in the United States, Hong Kong and Singapore previously reported that the MoistureLoc formula was used by many of the contact lens wearers treated for a rare eye infection Fusarium keratitis. B&L launched an investigation to determine the root cause of the infections and understand why there appeared to be a disproportionate association with MoistureLoc.

Because the product sold in those markets was made in the company's Greenville, SC factory, B&L initially removed the MoistureLoc product from markets supplied by that plant.

After an extensive investigation ... there is no evidence of product contamination, tampering, counterfeiting or sterility failure, said Bausch & Lomb Chairman and CEO Ronald L. Zarrella. That leads us to conclude that some aspect of the MoistureLoc formula may be increasing the relative risk of Fusarium infection in unusual circumstances. We are continuing to investigate this link, but in the meantime, we're taking the most responsible action in the interests of our customers by discontinuing the MoistureLoc formula.

The Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention previously reported that MoistureLoc was disproportionately represented among the confirmed cases of Fusarium keratitis, as compared with other B&L or competitive products.

B&L is working with eye care practitioners to launch new programs that will provide consumers with products and information for better eye health.

The MoistureLoc formula was introduced in late 2004, and the product contributed approximately $100 million of sales in 2005. The company has not estimated the financial impact of this action on its 2006 results.