Bausch & Lomb recently stopped U.S. sales of the contact lens cleaner ReNu with MoistureLoc.
The cleanser has been linked to an outbreak of Fusarium keratitis, a severe fungal eye infection. The infections can cause pain and even blindness.
However, the company may have been aware as early as last fall of infections among contact lens users in Hong Kong.
Warned in November
Health officials in Hong Kong warned Bausch & Lomb of lens-related infections in November. Bausch & Lomb filed reports of the 25 cases with the U.S. FDA in December, but claimed that no cause was known and no conclusions could be drawn.
Infections on the Increase
The number of infections in the United States has risen to 186, spanning 29 states.