Parker Waichman LLP

CooperVision Quietly Recalled Contact Lenses Amid Reports of Torn Corneas, Vision Problems

While contact lens wears were suffering from blurry vision and agonizing pain that, in some cases, led to emergency room hospital visits, CooperVision was recalling Avaira Toric contact lenses in what one popular blogger described as a “stealth recall.” Now, federal health officials are considering issuing a public warning about the popular contact lenses, which […]

While contact lens wears were suffering from blurry vision and agonizing pain that, in some cases, led to emergency room hospital visits, CooperVision was recalling <"https://www.yourlawyer.com/topics/overview/coopervision-avaira-topic-contact-lens-recall-eye-injury-lawyers">Avaira Toric contact lenses in what one popular blogger described as a “stealth recall.” Now, federal health officials are considering issuing a public warning about the popular contact lenses, which are sold at Costco, Wal-Mart, and LensCrafters.

CooperVision, located in Fairport, New York, has ignored the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) request to expand its recall of Avaira Toric contact lenses, said msnbc.com. Limited lots of the lenses were quietly recalled in the U.S. this summer over an unidentified “residue,” said msnbc.com. But a broader international notification, which included Hong Kong (the Hong Kong notice states that the lenses were also recalled in Canada, Germany, and Italy), Australia, and Spain, was issued for hundreds of additional lots. However, CooperVision has not widened its U.S. notification, said msnbc.com.

Meanwhile, a number of contact lens wearers told msnbc.com that the notice is too long coming after having suffered horrendous pain, vision problems, and hospital visits. About one dozen customers have come forward, so far, to the news outlet, it said.

“It is very frustrating that they’re not more vocal about it and that the FDA hasn’t warned more people,” said Mellisa Cotton, 40, of Atlanta, Georgia. Cotton was diagnosed with two corneal abrasions after wearing her Avaira Toric lenses. “Next to labor, a corneal abrasion is one of the most painful things you can have,” she said, reported MSNBC.

Dan O’Neil, 50, of Hampton, Virginia, said his 15-year-old daughter, Erin, was in so much pain after wearing her Avaira Torics—from a newly opened box he purchased at Wal-Mart—she was rushed to the hospital, wrote msnbc.com. “I noticed what first looked like a torn piece of contact on her eye…. Upon closer examination, I realized that what I was seeing was Erin’s cornea torn and rolled back,” he told msnbc.com. Erin was diagnosed with a severe corneal tear and was treated with pain and antibiotic medications; her parents only learned of the recall after Erin suffered eye injury. “The ophthalmologist didn’t even seem to be aware of it,” said O’Neil, wrote msnbc.com.

CooperVision Inc. officials issued its U.S recall on August 19 for what it said was “a limited number of lots” that totaled about 10% of the Avaira Toric lenses sold or issued as samples in 2010, said msnbc.com. The company advised the FDA on August 25th and initiated the recall after it investigated what it said were a “small number of unexpected wearer reports of hazy vision and discomfort,” wrote msnbc.com.

Phyllis Entis, author of the eFoodAlert blog, which tracks public safety recalls, said CooperVision’s activity “can only be described as a stealth recall,” said msnbc.com. The blog includes reports from other injured CooperVision customers including Deirdre Shapiro, 43, of Villanova, Pennsylvania, who suffered blurry vision and a scratched cornea. It “felt like someone was in there with a sharp instrument stabbing my eye,” reported msnbc.com. Shapiro stopped wearing the lenses when her doctor notified her of the recall, which was after she was wearing them for months, said msnbc.com. “Literally, my whole summer, I thought I was going crazy,” she said. “I wish I’d known. I would never have put this thing near my eye.”

While a CooperVision website notice has been posted so that customers can input a lot number to determine if they are in possession of recalled lenses, CooperVision does not provide retailer information or a complete lot listing, said msnbc.com. The very limited information can be accessed here.

What Our Clients Say About Us
We have worked with thousands of clients and we appreciate them and their positive reviews. Here are just a few recent client reviews...
5 Star Reviews 150
I have been working for the last 3 years with Tina Morace of Parker Waichman LLP to date and happy to say she handled my case from start to finish diligently. Never had any doubt about her professionalism. If i had questions i knew who to call that is Tina Morace. If i needed an answer she was prompt in delivering her reply and moreso never hesitated in getting in touch with me at all times to let me know how my case is doing. It was a pleasure working with Tina Morace. A very pleasant person to talk to and i would not hesitate to recommend any person who wishes to have their case handled by her. Tina Morace is an asset to Parker Waichman LLP and am proud of her expertise, knowledge and her responsive service of which am proud of her . Thank you Tina Morace for all your help and continued service with Parker Waichman LLP.
Monica Libert
2 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
HELLO IM VERY PLEASED WITH HIGH QUALITY OF SERVICE THAT MS ASHLEY LOPILATO PROVIDED TO ME DURING MY HARD STRUGGLE WITH THE MEDICAL RECORDS DEPARTMENT AND MY COMPANY ABM EVEN THOUGH I WAS READY TO GIVE UP ASHLEY CONTINUED TO CONSOLE ME AND UP MY SPRIT WHAT CAN I NOT SAY ABOUT ASHLEY SHE IS A GREAT ASSET TO THIS FIRM I TRULY FEEL EVEN THOUGH I NEVER MET HER ASHLEY MADE ME FEEL LIKE I KNOWN HER FOR YEARS WE TALKED LAUGHED AND TRULY SPOKE OF A LEVEL OF BEYOND CLIENT ATTORNEY RELATIONSHIP PLEASE IF NO ONE KNOWS ABOUT ASHELY MAKE SURE SOMEONE READS THIS LETTLE NO BETTER YET THIS DEVOTED APPRECIATION COMPLIMENT ON HER BEAUTIFUL WILL TO MAKE ME FEEL SPECIAL THANK YOU PARKER WAICHMAN FOR EMPLOYING SUCH A VERY GOOD PERSON THANKS AGAIN ASHLEY YOU NEVER SEEN BEFORE FRIEND DWAYNE BASDEN
Dwayne Basden
3 years ago
5 Star Reviews 150
There was a point in my life I was going through some rough times I was hurt pretty bad and filled with a lot of pain I did not know if my accident case was was worth it until I called W( Parker Waichman ) they toke my case and made me feel at home also going over and Beyond for me all I can say is thank you very much & well done
W F
6 years ago

Why Choose Us to Help You?

We Take Care of Everything
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
No Recovery = No Legal Fees
We work on a contingency-fee basis, meaning that we only get paid from a portion of your settlement or jury award. If you don't get compensation, you owe us nothing.
Decades of Experience
Your situation is stressful enough: Let us take on the deadlines, paperwork, investigation, and litigation. We'll handle every detail so you don't have to worry.
Respected by Our Peers
Judges, insurance adjusters, and fellow attorneys all speak highly of our skills, and we've earned numerous accolades, including a flawless rating from AVVO.
We Have Many Locations To Serve You
We have the experience and the skilled litigators to win your case. Contact us and speak with a real attorney who can help you.
Long Island – Nassau
Parker Waichman LLP
6 Harbor Park Drive
Port Washington, NY 11050
Long Island – Suffolk
Parker Waichman LLP
201 Old Country Road – Suite 145
Melville, NY 11747
New York
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038
Queens
Parker Waichman LLP
118-35 Queens Boulevard, Suite 400
Forest Hills, NY 11375
Brooklyn
Parker Waichman LLP
300 Cadman Plaza West
One Pierrepont Plaza, 12th Floor
Brooklyn, NY 11201
New Jersey
Parker Waichman LLP
80 Main Street, Suite 265
West Orange, NJ 07052
Florida
Parker Waichman LLP
27299 Riverview Center Boulevard
Suite 108
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Nationwide Service
Parker Waichman LLP
59 Maiden Lane, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10038