Bausch & Lomb Canada Inc. said today the suspension in shipments of a U.S. made contact lens solution ReNu(R) with MoistureLoc(R), does not affect its Canadian customers as that product is not sold in Canada.

B&L Canada's parent company, Bausch & Lomb, has announced that it is temporarily suspending U.S. shipments of ReNu(R) with MoistureLoc(R) produced at its Greenville, S.C., manufacturing facility in order to facilitate the further investigation of reports of Fusarium keratitis infections among contact lens wearers in the United States. This announcement follows the release of a report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that it is reviewing reports of 109 U.S. cases of suspected Fusarium keratitis.

There have been no patient reported cases of Fusarium keratitis in Canada.

"We remain in open communication with Health Canada regarding this situation," said Dennis O'Brien, General Manager of B&L Canada. "All of our products are approved by Health Canada prior to being sold. As well, each shipment of solution is rigorously tested before it's put on store shelves."

In the U.S., Bausch & Lomb has been collaborating with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the CDC, major eye centers and health authorities in a comprehensive investigation to determine if the reports represent an increase in the historical incidence of these infections, and to determine the root cause.

"Bausch & Lomb's first priority is the health and safety of consumers," said Ronald L. Zarrella, chairman and CEO of the company. "The CDC data released yesterday are both troubling and perplexing, as there is an apparent disproportionate representation of U.S. manufactured ReNu with MoistureLoc in the underlying data. The source of these infections has not been determined. Based on our extensive testing, analysis and further internal reviews, and communications with leading experts, the available scientific evidence does not establish any type of ReNu solution as a cause."

"The CDC has not determined if these reports represent an increase of Fusarium keratitis infections and is continuing to investigate the association, if any, of these cases with any product. Nonetheless, in the interest of public health, we will voluntarily suspend U.S. shipments of ReNu with MoistureLoc while we pursue all appropriate steps to bring this investigation to a definitive conclusion," Zarrella concluded.

"We want to remind contact lens users how important it is to take proper care in cleaning and storing their lenses, and to follow the advice of their eye care professional," said O'Brien. "Proper lens care is key to maintaining good eye health."

Recommendations for clean and safe contact lenses:

1. Always wash your hands with soap and water before inserting or

removing contact lenses. Be sure to dry your hands thoroughly with a

lint free towel.

2. Carefully and regularly clean contact lenses, as directed by your

optometrist. If recommended, gently rub the lenses using the index

finger of the opposite hand. Rinse thoroughly before soaking lenses

overnight in sufficient multi-purpose solution to completely cover

the lens.

3. Store lenses in the proper lens storage case and replace the case

every three months. Clean the case after each use, and keep it open

and dry between cleanings.

4. Use only products recommended by your optometrist to clean and

disinfect your lenses. Saline solution and rewetting drops are not

designed to disinfect lenses.

5. Only fresh solution should be used to clean and store contact lenses.

Never re-use old solution. Contact lens solution must be changed

according to the manufacturer's recommendations, even if the lenses

are not used daily.

6. Only use your lenses for the prescribed wearing cycle recommended by

your eye care professional. Always replace old contacts when you get

a new contact prescription.

If contact lens wearers have any concerns we recommend they contact their eye care practitioner.

Bausch & Lomb is the eye health company, dedicated to perfecting vision and enhancing life for consumers around the world. Its core businesses include soft and rigid gas permeable contact lenses and lens care products, and ophthalmic surgical and pharmaceutical products. The Bausch & Lomb name is one of the best known and most respected healthcare brands in the world. Founded in 1853, the Company is headquartered in Rochester, New York. Bausch & Lomb's 2004 revenues were $2.2 billion; it employs approximately 13,700 people worldwide and its products are available in more than 100 countries. More information about the Company is on the Bausch & Lomb Web site at www.bausch.ca. Copyright Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

(R)/(TM) denote trademarks of Bausch & Lomb Incorporated.

For further information: contact: Bausch & Lomb Canada, 1-888-459-5000

Source: newswire