Use of EzriCare artificial tears was linked to cases of infections, permanent vision loss, and one death.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a statement informing consumers and healthcare providers to discontinue using.
EzriCare Artificial Tears while they investigate the possible link between the product and at least 50 cases of infections in 11 U.S. states, resulting in permanent vision loss, hospitalization and one death.
The entity detailed that most of the affected people said they had used EzriCare Artificial Tears without preservatives before getting sick.
EzriCare eye drops were linked to 50 cases of infections in 11 US states
BACTERIA FOUND IN THE EYE DROPS
The statement detailed that these eye drops do not contain preservatives, which means that they do not have ingredients to prevent bacterial growth.
The CDC also mentioned that Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria resistant to carbapenem antibiotics, as well as to the antibiotics ceftazidime and cefepime, were found in tests on opened bottles of EzriCare.
According to Manual MSD, these bacteria grow in moist areas, such as sinks, toilets, inadequately chlorinated pools and hot tubs, as well as in expired or inactivated antiseptic solutions, and can cause mild or even life-threatening infections.
In view of these findings and cases, the entity recommended physicians and patients to immediately discontinue the use of EzriCare artificial tears until the investigation and analyses are completed.
For its part, the company said in a statement that it has not received complaints from consumers about adverse events, but recommends that during this situation the use of any portion of the lubricant eye drops be discontinued.
Don’t use them: CDC warns of deadly eye drop-related infection
Most of those affected said they used EzriCare Artificial Tears preservative-free drops before their health problems arose.
One person died and at least three others were left with permanent eye damage after contracting a bacterial infection possibly linked to a brand of over-the-counter eyedrops, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.
Most of the affected individuals said they had used EzriCare Artificial Tears preservative-free drops before their health problems arose, the CDC said in a Jan. 20 statement.
While the connection between the infections and the eye drops cannot be definitively concluded, the CDC recommended that “patients immediately stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears drops until an epidemiologic investigation and laboratory analysis are completed.”
So far, the CDC has identified at least 50 people in 11 states with pseudomonas aeruginosa, a type of bacteria resistant to the vast majority of antibiotics. The cases have been reported in the states of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington.