WTVM.com and WTVM News Leader 9, Columbus, GA | Columbus Man Fears Bausch & Lomb Eye Fungal Infection

Columbus Man Fears Bausch & Lomb Eye Fungal Infection

Fears of a severe fungal eye infection caused by a popular contact solution hits home for one Columbus man.  Last month Bausch and Lomb withdrew one of its products after 130 cases of the potentially blinding infection were reported.  Tonight one man shares his scary ordeal.

Vanduz Boyd began using Renu with MoistureLoc four months ago.  But three weeks in he started noticing problems. 

"Headaches, not regular headaches that affect your mind, but the part that affects the optic nerve," says Vanduz Boyd.  At the time he thought the headaches and dry eyes were his own fault, that he was wearing his contacts wrong.  He says, "My last thought was it was the contact solution."  But a conversation at work changed all that.  "I was told by a co-worker that there was a recall on the Bausch and Lomb Renu and I began to research to make sure that I didn't have that type because I knew I used the Renu but I never would have thought that I'd have that type."

Dr Brian Kurtz, a Columbus optometrist, was surprised by the recall.  "It was kind of scary because it came out kind of suddenly," he says.  He hasn't seen any patients with the eye fungal infection called Fusarium, but says he wouldn't be surprised if it was out there.

Boyd has switched to a new contact solution and says his eyes are getting better.  But he fears damage may have already been done.  And he's warning other contact lens wearers to beware. "I strongly recommend that people make sure that they do not have that type of solution.  Make sure you find out what you have."

Bausch & Lomb has permanently recalled the solution, Renu with MoistureLoc."  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says other Renu solutions do not show a significantly increased risk for the fungal eye infection.

dsinger@wxtx.com