Bausch & Lomb's ReNu Multipurpose Softlens Solution (the top selling brand) has been in the news lately because of its link with a recent outbreak of fungal corneal ulcers - and today the company announced that it has suspended shipments.

It's not clear yet from the stories I've read whether the suspected problem has to do with contaminated solutions, or ReNu's inability to properly kill this fungus.

In any case, fungal infections (characterized by a constant scratchy to painful feeling, extra redness, and excessive sticky secretions) are extremely rare, and usually stem from accidental scratches on the cornea.

Follow recommended hygiene and you shouldn't have a problem:

- Wash hands
- soak overnight in a proper disinfecting solution
- replace your case at regular intervals
- replace your contact lenses in a timely manner

Which product should you use instead?

We're recommending Alcon Opti-Free, a multi-purpose one step soft lens solution. Stop by our office for a free Opti-Free starter kit.

Other good products include Complete and CIBA Aquify. By the way, CIBA's Quick Care - a two-step kit I've recommended for years because of its strong cleaning and disinfecting qualities - has also been discontinued. It seems the public greatly prefers simplicity over effectiveness.