Eye Drop Brand Sold In New York State Linked To 1 Death, Dangerous Infections

If you use eye drops you might want to check the brand because the Centers for Disease Control is warning that one brand may be responsible for causing infections and deaths. The CDC is investigating a cluster of Verona
Integron‐mediated Metallo‐β‐lactamase- and Guiana‐Extended Spectrum‐β‐Lactamase‐
producing carbapenem‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa eye infections. Recent laboratory evidence links the infections to one brand of eye drops.

According to the CDC,

Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria (germ) that is found commonly in the environment, like in soil and in water. Of the many different types of Pseudomonas, the one that most often causes infections in humans is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause infections in the blood, lungs (pneumonia), or other parts of the body after surgery.

There have been 50 cases in New York and 10 other states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington. The infections, which have been reported from May 17, 2022, to January 19. 2023, have led to hospitalization and permanent vision loss. One case resulted in death. The CDC said in a news release,

CDC recommends that clinicians and patients immediately discontinue the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears until the epidemiological investigation and laboratory analyses are complete.

While investigating possible causes of the widespread cases, CDC investigators determined that the majority of people suffering from the infections had used eye drops with EzriCare being the most frequently used. The bacteria was found in open bottles of the EzriCare artificial tears. The CDC is continuing to test sealed bottles of the product.

EzriCare says it has stopped selling the eye drops.

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