The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)recently reported that 68 patients in 16 states have been infected with a rare strain of Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, a bacteria typically found in hospitals, after using contaminated artificial tears eye drops. Three people have died and eight others have lost their vision as a result of using the eye drops.
The contaminated eyedrops were sold at Walmart, Target, and CVS stores, as well as on Amazon. Global Pharma Healthcare recalled its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops that had been distributed by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma last month.
The FDA recently informed us of a recall on eye drops. Are you affected? http://t.co/dwpWKoTK5F
— The Eye Associates (@TheEyeAssociate) September 24, 2013
Four of the 68 infected patients had to have their eyeballs surgically removed due to the infection. Signs of an eye infection include yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye; eye pain or discomfort; redness of the eye or eyelid; feeling of something in your eye; increased sensitivity to light; and blurry vision, according to the CDC.
Most of the cases have been linked to four regional clusters and EzriCare’s drops are the only product used by patients in each of those groups. Most patients reported using 10 different brands of artificial tears, but EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multi-dose bottles, was the most commonly reported.
The 16 states where patients are infected are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. The CDC is urging patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears and who have noticed symptoms of an eye infection to get medical care “immediately.”
In January, after learning about the CDC’s investigation of Pseudomonas infections, EzriCare said in a statement that it “immediately took action to stop any further distribution or sale of EzriCare Artificial Tears. To the greatest extent possible, we have been contacting customers to advise them against continued use of the product.”
Two case studies published in JAMA Ophthalmology this week highlighted the severity of the infections. In one case, a 72-year-old woman lost vision in her left eye after using EzriCare artificial tears for about a week. She had to remain in the hospital for three weeks enduring IV antibiotics, antibiotic eye drops, and multiple surgical interventions.
The CDC is continuing to investigate the outbreak and is urging patients who may have used the contaminated eyedrops to seek medical attention immediately if they experience any of the symptoms of an eye infection. The bacteria driving the outbreak is resistant to standard antibiotics, making it particularly worrisome.
