UPDATE 4/14/06

Bausch & Lomb (NYSE:BOL) today asked U.S. retailers to
remove ReNu® with MoistureLoc® from their shelves temporarily, and recommended that consumers switch to another lens care solution for the time being, until the investigation of reports of fungal keratitis infections among contact lens wearers in the United States is concluded. The company initiated the voluntary market withdrawal in order to eliminate any confusion among contact lens wearers about what to do while the investigation is ongoing. Today’s action does not apply to other Bausch & Lomb products or to ReNu with MoistureLoc manufactured at factories outside the United States.



Over the past 20 years, I’ve had a love/hate relationship with my soft contact lenses. I love the freedom from glasses. Especially since I live in a climate that’s hot and humid nearly all year long. People in my neck of the woods have to deal with their glasses fogging up every time they step out of an air conditioned car or building. But – contacts have their drawbacks, too. I hate putting them in (that first “sting” in the morning) and I hate the constant battle with dryness. I would end up sticking my finger in my eye several times a day, moving the lens in an attempt to “unstick” it, or to try to coax a tear or two to come along and refresh the lens. And by 8 or 9 o’clock at night, I was always very ready to yank those lenses out! But I figured I had to put up with these annoyances in order to enjoy the benefits.

Then at my last eye exam, my doctor gave me a free sample of Bausch & Lomb’s ReNu with MoistureLoc Multi-Purpose Solution. My doctor told me that this product is truly “different” and that he, himself uses it on his lenses. He told me that it will feel “thicker” than normal solution, and will keep the lens moist and fresh-feeling all day long.

Well – I’m a skeptic at heart. I really thought that all multi-purpose solutions were exactly the same. I’d tried a bunch of them – and finding no difference at all, I always just bought the cheapest one I could find – usually the store’s own brand. But since my doctor recommended this one so highly – and it was, after all, a free sample – I was happy to try it.

How To Use It

Like all multi-purpose solutions, the directions for proper cleaning of your lenses are simple:

1. Thoroughly rinse each side of the lens for 5 seconds.
2. Place cleaned lenses in the case and fill with fresh solution. Let soak for at least 4 hours. Lenses may be stored for up to 30 days, then used. If they’re stored longer than 30 days, you must re-clean them every 30 days.

I should note that I use the "Acuvue 2" lenses. A previous reviewer warned that this product is not compatible with Acuvue 2's, but I have not had any problems. And since my doctor, himself, gave this product to me (knowing the brand of lens that I use), I have to say that the two products are, indeed, compatible.


Ingredients
A sterile, isotonic solution that contains boric acid, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate, Hydranate (hydroxyalkylphosphonate), poloxamine, MoistureLoc (poloxamer, polyquaternium-10) and preserved with alexidine 0.00045%.

According to the package insert:
ReNu with MoistureLoc Multi-Purpose Solution has been specially formulated with MoistureLoc technology, to work in harmony with your tears to provide sustained comfort and clean lenses day after day. When used daily, this unique combination of ingredients fights dryness by surrounding the lens with a long lasting cushion of moisture. MoistureLoc also inhibits the formation of deposits that can cause discomfort and can shorten lens wearing time.


Precautions
Never re-use solution.
Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
Store solution at room temperature.
Use before the expiration date.
Keep out of reach of children.




Always check with your eyecare professional before switching products!


But How Does It Work???

The best way to describe it is … WOW!

What a difference! From the very first moment, I knew this product was a “keeper”. When I put my lenses in, there’s no longer that “sting”. They just slide right on, and I feel absolutely nothing at all. In fact, the very first time I put a lens in, I thought I’d missed my eye completely! How could I NOT feel anything as I put the lens in??? Truly amazing!

Besides making the lenses go in easier – they really do stay moist all day long! I can now go the whole day without thinking about my lenses. I don’t stick my fingers in my eye anymore! And, I’ve been keeping my lenses in at night – right up until I go to bed. No longer rushing to yank them out. This product has truly lived up to its reputation!

I use the kind of lenses that you’re supposed to wear for two weeks, then replace. But I’ve always stretched their usage out to four weeks. Will this product allow me to keep my lenses longer? No – I wouldn’t risk keeping them any longer than that anyway. But – I do find that with this product, the lenses stay in better shape throughout that time. They’re almost perfect even at the four week point whereas before, they’d be pretty well covered with these little dots of protein deposits by that time.

I will continue to use this product – even though it costs quite a bit more than the other brands – especially those store-brand products I’d always bought in the past. A twin pack (total of 24 oz.) costs $13. I’d always paid around $9 for the same amount of the store brand products. But – it’s worth it to me. We’re talking about the comfort (and health) of my eyes, after all.

And great news… Right now, the manufacturer is offering a free 2 oz. sample.

http://www.2710interactive.com/bausch/renusample/renuflash.html

If you wear soft contact lenses - get your sample and try this product... but be warned - you'll likely get hooked!



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