Neutrogena Acne Mask Linked to Blindness
The Neutrogena Visibly Clear® Light Therapy Acne Mask is an at-home treatment for mild to moderate acne. Unfortunately, it was recalled in July 2019 because it may cause permanent vision loss or blindness — especially in people with pre-existing eye problems, or take medications that increase sensitivity to light.
What is the Risk of Eye Injuries?
In a recall posted by health officials in Australia, experts warned about retinal damage that could lead to vision impairment or blindness.
Experts also warned about the risk of eye pain, eye discomfort, eye irritation, tearing, blinding, blurring of vision, seeing spots/flashes and other changes in vision (for example vision color).
Neutrogena Acne Mask Class Action Lawsuit
In November 2018, a class action lawsuit (PDF) accused Johnson & Johnson of falsely advertising the Neutrogena Light Therapy Acne Mask as having only “30 daily treatments,” when it really had enough battery to provide more treatments.
The mask is programmed to provide 30 once-daily treatments for 10 minutes each, for a total of 300 minutes of power. After the maximum number of treatments is reached, the battery is programmed to stop working.
However, the lawsuit claims that the battery actually has enough power to provide more treatment sessions if it is not programmed to stop:
“By restricting the number of treatment sessions, Defendant is able to maximize its profits by inducing consumers to throw away their Activators, despite still having enough to charge to provide additional treatment sessions, in order for consumers to buy additional Activators.”
The lawsuit was filed on November 27, 2018 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California — In RE: Rebecca Correia v. Johnson & Johnson Consumer Inc. — 2:18-cv-09918.
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