Case Description
In 1994, Florida filed a complaint against the 3 major contact lens manufacturers, the American Optometric Association, and others for conspiring to sell replacement contact lenses to consumers and through eye care professionals and not through other outlets such as mail or phone order, the internet, pharmacies, and drug stores. Led by New York and California, thirty-three States and the District of Columbia joined Florida in the litigation. In 2001, after five weeks of trial, the parties agreed to a settlement with the last defendant, bringing the total settlement to $84,275,000 in addition to injunctive relief for a period of four years. The bulk of the award was distributed to affected consumers in the form of cash rebates and product. Of the settlement, $29 million was distributed for costs and attorneys fees to the Plaintiff States and counsel for the class also involved in the multi-district litigation. The settlement amounts were as follows: Vistakon $60 million ($25 million in cash and up to at least $30 million in rebates & discounts for consumers, $5 million to compensate past contact lens wearers who no longer use contacts); AOA $775,000; Bausch & Lomb $17.5 million; CIBA $6 million