The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is advising consumers to not use a brand of artificial tears that are linked to over 50 cases of bacterial infections across the United States.
Epidemiological evidence linked an outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa among patients to the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears.
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The “extensively drug-resistant strain” of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria can cause infections in the blood, lungs, and other body parts. The infections usually occur after a surgery, per the CDC.
Eye infection symptoms can include green discharge from the eye, pain or discomfort, redness, and increased sensitivity to light.
The CDC is collaborating with the Food and Drug Administration to investigate 55 cases across 11 states including one death, hospitalization, and permanent vision loss as of Jan. 31.
The cases are in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
Of the 55 cases, 35 were linked to four healthcare facility clusters, per the CDC.
“Patients reported over 10 different brands of artificial tears and some patients used multiple brands. EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multidose bottles, was the brand most commonly reported,” the CDC wrote in a statement announcing the investigation. “This was the only common artificial tears product identified across the four healthcare facility clusters.”
ErziCare said it was first alerted to the ongoing investigation on Jan. 20. As of Thursday, the company said it was not aware of any testing “definitely linking” the bacterial outbreak to the eye drops.
“To the greatest extent possible, we have been contacting customers to advise them against continued use of the product,” ErziCare said in a statement on its website. “We also immediately reached out to both CDC and FDA and indicated our willingness to cooperate with any requests they may have of us.”
A report from 2019 indicated that 2,700 people in the U.S. died from Pseudomonas aeruginosa and another 32,600 were hospitalized.
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Clinicians have been asked to report any bacteria taken from an “ocular specimen” since Jan. 1, 2022, to local or state health departments, or to email [email protected].
Patients “should stop” using EzriCare Artificial Tears pending guidance from the CDC and FDA. The CDC said patients who were prescribed the eye drops should follow up with their healthcare providers about alternative options.
