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CDC warns against eye drops that cause vision loss, death


CDC is working with the Food and Drug Administration to investigate a “multi-state” bacterial outbreak associated with the use of Artificial Tears by EzriCare or Delsam Pharma. According to the latest report of the agency report, the outbreak was associated with 3 deaths. As well as 8 reports of visual acuity loss, and 4 cases of ophthalmic surgery.

The CDC recommends that “clinicians and patients discontinue use of EzriCare or Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears products” until further guidance is available.

Eye drops can be contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria

According to CDC, there was “a multi-level outbreak of a widely resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.” The outbreak has never been seen in the US before.

The outbreak is thought to be linked to a variety of infections, including eye infections. Furthermore, the CDC has “identified artificial tears as a common exposure” for many affected patients.

CDC findings to date

As of March 14, CDC identified 68 patients in 16 states with drug-resistant infections. States include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.

There were 3 deaths, 8 people had vision loss and 4 cases had to have eyeball surgery.

Most of the 68 patients reported using artificial tear products, with “more than 10 different brands” reported. Just as “some patients” use “multiple brands”.

However, according to the CDC, the most common brand used is EzriCare Artificial Tears. The agency reports that it is “an over-the-counter, preservative-free product packaged in multi-dose bottles.”

Learn more about Specimen Testing & Recommendations CDC is working on

According to CDC, specimen collection was conducted from May 2022 to February 2023, including testing of opened bottles of EzriCare. This test gives results consistent with the outbreak strain.

Additionally, ongoing testing is underway on unopened bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears. This test is to assess “whether contamination may occur during manufacturing.”

CDC strongly recommends that patients and healthcare providers “immediately discontinue” use of EzriCare Artificial Tears “pending additional information and guidance from CDC and FDA.”

Information for patients who may have used/are using contaminated eye drops

For those who have used “EzriCare or Delsam Pharma artificial tears” and believe they are experiencing symptoms of an eye infection, immediate medical attention should be sought.

Symptoms of an eye infection may include yellow, green, or clear eye discharge, pain or discomfort in the eye, redness of the eye or eyelids, sensation of something in the eye (sense of a foreign body) ), increased sensitivity to light and blurred vision.

Furthermore, at this time, the CDC is not recommending testing for patients who “have used this product and do not have any signs or symptoms of infection.”


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