CDC Warns Against Use of Eye Drops Linked to Bacteria Outbreak

55 cases of an 'extensively drug-resistant bacteria' have been reported across 12 states in patients using artificial tears.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has warned against using a specific brand of over-the-counter eye drops after a potential link to a string of aggressive infections across the U.S. was discovered.

On Wednesday, the CDC urged the public to “immediately discontinue” the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears following 55 cases of the “extensively drug-resistant” Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria reported across 12 states—including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin—between May 2022 and Jan. 2023.

Patients had a variety of presentations, including inflammation, respiratory infection, urinary tract infection, and sepsis. Outcomes also varied from permanent vision loss, hospitalization and at least one death.

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Upon reviewing the common exposures among patients, it was determined that most of those presenting with the eye infection recently used artificial tear drops, and some noted that they used more than one.

Among the 10 different types of artificial tears named by patients, EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free product, was the only one to be identified across the clusters, per the release.

CDC laboratory testing also confirmed the presence of the bacteria in opened EzriCare Artificial Tears bottles from multiple lots in bottles collected from patients with and without eye infections in two states. The bacteria found in the recovered bottles was consistent with the strain responsible for causing the reported illnesses.

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The CDC said it is continuing to evaluate the product to determine if the bottles became contaminated during use or in the manufacturing process.

The notice recommended consumers who used EzriCare Artificial Tears and have signs or symptoms of an eye infection–such as discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling of something in the eye, increased sensitivity to light, or blurry vision–seek medical care.

The CDC also encouraged anyone advised to use EzriCare Artificial Tears by their healthcare provider to follow up with their doctor for an alternative artificial product recommendation.

Customers with questions should refer to the CDC's information page or call the CDC-INFO helpline at 1-800-232-4636.

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