Eye infections with antibiotic-resistant bacteria can lead to blindness. Unfortunately, some users of Opti-Free Replenish contact lens solution have been diagnosed with S. maltophilia, a common bacteria that is resistant to nearly all antibiotic treatments.
What You Can Do & How an Opti-Free Replenish Lawsuit Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Opti-Free Replenish injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with an eye infection, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Overview
Opti-Free Replenish is marketed by Alcon Laboratories Inc. as a sterile contact lens solution. It is supposed to disinfect and recondition soft contacts and silicone hydrogel lenses.
What is the problem?
Opti-Free Replenish has been linked to case reports of patients who developed Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. Unfortunately, several studies have discovered this bacteria contaminating contact lens solutions.
Experts have called S. maltophilia an “emerging global threat” because it does not respond to treatment with antibiotics, including the “last-resort” antibiotics in the carbapenem family.
Antibiotic-Resistant Eye infections
The eye is a very delicate area of the body, and even mild infections with an antibiotic-resistant bacteria could lead to permanent vision problems. If you use Opti-Free Replenish, it is a good idea to be vigilant for symptoms of an infection:
- Eye pain, irritation, dryness, or excessive itchiness
- Very watery eyes
- “Pinkeye” or redness
- Yellow discharge or “crust” in the morning
- Blurry vision or changes in vision
- Vision loss
- And more
What is S. Maltophilia?
S. maltophilia is a bacteria that is commonly found in water, and it can survive on wet surfaces. It also survives in nutrient-poor ultrapure water, even after disinfection with filtration, reverse osmosis, UV exposure, or deionization.
Infections Linked to S. Maltophilia
Eye infections linked to S. maltophilia:
- Corneal inflammation
- Conjunctivitis
- Keratitis
- Dacryocystitis
- Preseptal cellulitis
- Corneal ulcers
- Endophthalmitis
- Orbital cellulitis
Other types of infections linked to S. maltophilia:
- Bacteremia
- Endocarditis
- Respiratory tract infection
- Pneumonia
- Central nervous system infection
- Urinary tract infections
- Skin and soft tissue infections
Do I have an Opti-Free Replenish Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Opti-Free Replenish injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with an eye infection, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Product Liability Litigation Group or call us toll-free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Attention Lawyers: We consider a referral from another law firm to be one of the greatest compliments. If your firm is interested in referring us a case or for us to send you a list of previous award judgments and/or average referral fees, please visit the Lawyer Referral section of our website.
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC has been recognized as one of the nation’s leading plaintiffs' law firms and handles cases in all 50 states. We are very proud of our legal achievements, but equally self-respecting of our firm's reputation for providing personal attention to each and every client we represent.
