Bausch RoundTable Discussion Spews Out Frail Defenses

Kevin Walsh

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In an orchestrated, well-choreographed and comprehensive parade of their own corporate opinions in Contact Lens Spectrum's September 2006 edition, Bausch & Lomb appears to have settled upon some of the soundbites we will hear as they defend their corporate arrogance in failing to recall MoistureLok, and the product itself which has blinded some and severely injured others. Bausch never misses an opportunity to bash its loyal MoistureLok users, and they do so in this September "Roundtable" discussion ad nauseum. In a transparent PR department creation, Bausch lays out a timeline to attempt to persuade the public that they showed clear focus and corporate conscience in the much-discussed recall debaucle. They then settle into a rhythmic recital of factors they claim to exculpate their product from scrutiny or blame in the rash of eye infections linked to ReNu with MoistureLok over the past year. In their haste to stamp out any public or legal reprisals they face, the net result of their PhD expert's "opinions" is that this is such a small problem in terms of numbers, that it should be seen as statistically insignificant. I wouldn't want to be the one telling a blind or seriously injured user that.

Despite the CDC's insistence that non-compliance was NOT a factor that stood out in those afflicted with the Fusarium infections Bausch seems to be searching for a way to keep the focus on it's loyal users' habits, stating in part:

Bausch & Lomb's inquiry focused on whether there was an aspect of this formulation that, in combination with noncompliant usage, could put lens wearers at greater risk of contracting a Fusarium solani infection.