Top Class Actions’s website and social media posts use affiliate links. If you make a purchase using such links, we may receive a commission, but it will not result in any additional charges to you. Please review our Affiliate Link Disclosure for more information.
Eyedrop infections and deaths overview:
- Who: The CDC reports that four people have now died after using contaminated eye drops.
- Why: A range of contaminated eye drops were distributed across the country, and have caused infections in 81 people as of May 15.
- Where: The eye drop infections were recorded in the United States.
- What are my options: Try gopuff for alternative eye drop options.
Four people have died and more than 80 people have suffered infections after using eyedrops contaminated with a highly drug-resistant bacteria.
On May 15, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that the number of people with infections linked to contaminated eye drops distributed nationwide under various brands had reached 81, up from 68 reported in March.
The number includes 14 people who have been blinded and four others who had to have their eyeballs surgically removed. As of May 15, four people have died, the CDC said.
Though most infections have been limited to the eyes, the bacteria can be fatal when it enters the bloodstream, the CDC said.
Affected eye drops came in multiple brands, notice states
The infections come from with VIM-GES-CRPA, a rare strain of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria, the CDC said.
Cases have now been discovered in 18 states: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin.
While patients reported using 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 said.
Laboratory testing by CDC identified the presence of VIM-GES-CRPA in opened EzriCare bottles from multiple lots, the CDC said.
Three products have been voluntarily recalled by their manufacturer, Global Pharma (Chennai, India), in association with the outbreak: EzriCare Artificial Tears, Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears, and Delsam Pharma Artificial Ointment.
Patients and healthcare providers should immediately stop using and discard EzriCare Artificial Tears, Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears, and Delsam Pharma Artificial Ointment, the CDC said.
No other products have been linked to the outbreak, but the CDC said it expects the case count to rise, although the rate has slowed since Global Pharma recalled all three of those products in February.
Meanwhile, lawsuits are being filed in regards to the harm caused by the infected eye drops.
In March, a 68-year-old woman who lost one of her eyes filed a lawsuit against India-based Global Pharma Healthcare over claims its EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops product “introduced a dangerous pathogen” into her eye and forced it to be surgically removed.
If you or a loved one suffered from a bacterial infection, vision loss, other injury or death after using EzriCare or Delsam eye drops, you may qualify to participate in a lawsuit investigation.
Don’t Miss Out!
Check out our list of Class Action Lawsuits and Class Action Settlements you may qualify to join!
Read About More Class Action Lawsuits & Class Action Settlements:
- SD Biosensor announces Pilot COVID-19 At-Home Tests recall due to bacterial contamination
- Rite Aid lidocaine patches don’t stay on or provide advertised relief, class action alleges
- Philips announces recall for reworked DreamStation CPAP, BiPAP machines due to defect
- Exactech knee and hip insert recall investigation
One thought on Contaminated eyedrop infections increase with four deaths reported, CDC says
I used the ointment and the tears and had to go to the eye Dr for infection