Deadly drug-resistant pathogen kills despite recall. Dispose of medication immediately.

Recalled Eyedrops Linked to Death and Vision Loss

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported one death and six cases of vision loss linked to bacterial infections caused by recalled eyedrops. The infections have been described as “catastrophic and life-altering” by Maroya Spalding Walters, who leads the CDC’s antimicrobial resistance team. She urged people to check their medicine cabinets for recalled products, as not everyone is aware of recalls. The CDC has warned patients to stop using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma Artificial Ointment. Cases have been found in 18 states, with 81 people infected overall.

Symptoms and Risks

The recalled eyedrops introduce a drug-resistant bacteria known as pseudomonas aeruginosa into the body. This form of the bacteria had never been seen in America until this outbreak. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a dangerous bacteria that can melt through the eye up to the cornea into the bloodstream quickly. Symptoms of an infection in the eye can include yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling like something is in the eye, increased light sensitivity, and blurry vision. The CDC recommends that anyone experiencing any of these symptoms contact a healthcare professional immediately.

Recall and FDA Inspection

The recalled eyedrops were found to be contaminated with pseudomonas aeruginosa due to a manufacturing process that lacked assurance of product sterility. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) cited Global Pharma Healthcare facility in India for not following proper protocol to prevent contamination of its products. The FDA inspection found that products made between December 2020 and April 2022 were shipped to the United States without proper sterilization.

If you have these recalled products in your medicine cabinet, throw them out now to avoid any risk of infection.