If you use contact lenses to correct astigmatism, nearsightedness, or farsightedness, you may be affected by one of the most massive contact lens recalls in history. CooperVision, the manufacturer of Avaira Toric and Avaira Sphere contact lenses, is recalling more than five million products after finding that they were contaminated with dangerous silicon oil reside.
CooperVision Contact Lens Recall Lawsuit
CooperVision has voluntarily decided to issue a recall of its most popular products — Avaira Toric and Avaira Sphere contact lenses, approved by the FDA to correct vision problems associated with myopia (nearsightedness), hyperopia (farsightedness), and astigmatism.
The company is warning the public after several consumers complained of the following problems: temporary eye pain, hazy vision, and blurry vision. However, some people have experienced far more severe symptoms — vision loss and eye damage that required medical treatment.
As more people have come forward with complaints, the recall has expanded dramatically — from a few thousand to millions of products.
If you experience any vision problems after using a contact lens, contact an emergency physician immediately.
Class 1 FDA Recall
The Avaira Sphere and Toric lenses are subject to a Class 1 FDA recall. This is the most serious level, reserved for situations where the public is in immediate danger. For example, other Class 1 recalls include: mistakes on prescription medication labels, bacterial contamination of food products, and malfunctioning artificial heart valves.
What contacts are included in the recall?
The recall includes all CooperVision Avaira Sphere and Avaira Toric lenses manufactured between February 1, 2011 and August 24, 2011. Consumers could have purchased these products between March 2, 2011 and November 15, 2011.
Recall History
- August 2011: CooperVision becomes aware of the contamination from silicon oil residue, and initiates small recall of Avaira Toric lenses.
- November 16, 2011: CooperVision dramatically expands to include 600,000 Avaira Sphere products, in addition the Avaira Toric products.
- December 7, 2011: CooperVision expands the recall again, to include at least five million products.
- The Clark Firm LLP will continue to update this if there are further expansions to the recall.
What should I do?
- Do not wear the contact lenses.
- Store your contact lenses in a safe place — do not throw them away. If you have the box, do not throw it out. The lot number is printed on the box, and you will need to look up your lot number to find out whether your contacts are part of the recall.
- Go to the CooperVision website, where you will find a search box where you can enter the lot number to find out if your contacts are being recalled. You can also call the CooperVision Customer Care hotline at 1-855-526-6737. Even if your contact lenses are not in the recall now, the recall may continue to expand to include your number.
- Call your optometrist or eye-care doctor. Tell him/her to report your case to the FDA. The FDA collects information on injuries caused by medical devices, and your information will help the FDA better protect and inform the public. You can also call the FDA to report your injury at 1-800-332-1088.
- Contact a lawyer at the Clark Firm, LLP. We offer a comprehensive, free case consultation for people who have been harmed by defective CooperVision contact lenses. Use the form below. If you prefer, you may also call us directly at 1-866-920-0753. You could be entitled to compensation.
What is Astigmatism?
Are you one of the millions of people who use CooperVision contact lenses to treat astigmatism? Astigmatism is a vision problem that people experience when their cornea (the clear tissue covering the front of the eye) is shaped in a way that makes it difficult to focus light. People who have an astigmatism experience blurry vision, both close up and far away. They may also suffer from persistent eye discomfort, headaches, and other symptoms in severe cases.
What is nearsightedness and farsightedness?
CooperVision contact lenses are also used by millions of people to treat nearsightedness and farsightedness.
Myopia (also known as “nearsightedness”) is a condition where a person has clear vision up close, but blurry vision far away. Vision problems happen when light that enters the eye is focused incorrectly by the lens. Nearsightedness frequently becomes more severe as a person gets older, but the symptoms are treatable with corrective contact lenses (such as CooperVision’s Avaira Sphere or Avaira Toric), glasses, and LASIK surgery.
Hyperopia (also known as “farsightedness”) is a vision problem that occurs when light is focused incorrectly inside the eye. In someone who is farsighted, the person can see things clearly at a distance, but not up close. Similar to nearsightedness, symptoms are treatable by using contact lenses or glasses.
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