Eye drops linked to drug-resistant infections in 16 states, 3 deaths reported

Eye drops have been linked to Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Photo: White Fox/AGF/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Federal health officials are continuing to investigate a multi-state outbreak of drug-resistant infections linked to eye drops.

Driving the news: At least 3 people have died and 68 people from 16 states were diagnosed with a rare strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in connection with the outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

There have been eight reports of vision loss, the CDC said in its update this week citing data as of March 14.
There have been four cases involving surgical removal of an eyeball, the CDC said.
The 16 states with reported cases are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.

Eye drop recalls 2023

There have been eye drop recalls linked to the outbreak including Global Pharma Healthcare's voluntary recall of lots of its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, distributed by EzriCare, LLC- and Delsam Pharma for potential microbial contamination. It also recalled a lot of artificial eye ointment.

EzriCare Artificial Tears, an over-the-counter product, was also the “only common artificial tears product" identified across four healthcare facility clusters, which account for 37 of the 68 cases, the CDC said.
Since February, the FDA has been warning consumers and health care practitioners not to purchase and to immediately stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears due to potential bacterial contamination. The recalled ointment has not been linked to infections but shouldn't be used, the FDA notes.

Meanwhile, other recent eye drop recalls have not been linked to the outbreak.

Select lots of Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops and Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution did not list any illnesses or injuries from the products but "using contaminated artificial tears increases risk of eye infections that could result in blindness or death," the FDA said.
Teva Pharmaceuticals has recalled nearly 716,000 bottles of Clear Eyes eye drops for failed impurity testing, according to The Miami Herald. which cited an FDA enforcement report.

Yes, but: Most patients reported using artificial tears. Patients “reported over 10 different brands of artificial tears and some patients used multiple brands.”

Eye infection symptoms

The CDC said patients who have used “EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears and who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should seek medical care immediately.” Symptoms, the CDC noted, 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 (foreign body sensation)
Increased sensitivity to light
Blurry vision

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