Second Wave of Vision Loss Lawsuits Filed Against Advanced Medical Optics Over Recalled Contact Lens Solution

The Schmidt Firm Represents 14 Additional Victims of Parasitic Corneal Infections

Unfortunately, many of our clients have seen their condition deteriorate over time

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Santa Ana, CA (PRWEB) September 10, 2008

Injured consumers continue to file lawsuits against Advanced Medical Optics (AMO) due to defects in the Company's now-recalled Complete® MoisturePlus™ contact lens solution. Yesterday, fourteen additional plaintiffs filed lawsuits in Orange County, California, Superior Court (see case numbers below). There are now over 100 injured consumers who have filed similar lawsuits against AMO in California and other states throughout the country.

The new lawsuits allege that the consumers developed serious corneal infections when AMO's solution failed to disinfect against the harmful parasite Acanthamoeba. AMO recalled the product in May 2007 after the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) linked the solution to a large number of Acanthamoeba infections. This past June, CDC researchers presented additional data that showed that the product is ineffective against the Acanthamoeba parasite. The Food and Drug Administration also announced that it may recommend new testing and labeling guidelines to ensure that future products are effective against the parasite and that manufacturers better inform consumers about the risk of Acanthamoeba infections.

Acanthamoeba-related corneal infections are extremely difficult to diagnose and treat. "The infections often require many months or even years of daily, and sometimes hourly, chemotherapy because the parasite can burrow into the cornea," said Michael Schmidt of The Schmidt Firm, LLP in Dallas, who jointly represents numerous Acanthamoeba victims with Moore Labriola LLP and Robinson, Calcagnie & Robinson in Newport Beach, California. In addition, the infection scars the cornea, which leads to vision loss and, in some cases, total blindness or surgical removal of the natural eye. Corneal transplantation of cadaver corneas may help people recover some of their vision. Even then, patients often need several subsequent transplants during their lifetime. "Unfortunately, many of our clients have seen their condition deteriorate over time," says Schmidt.

The first trials against AMO are currently scheduled to commence in early 2009.

Assigned to Judge Velasquez, Dept. CX-101