EzriCare Artificial Tears Eye Drops Recalled After Permanent Vision Loss & Death
Several news sources, including NBCNews.com, are reporting that the maker of EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops, Global Pharma Healthcare, has initiated a voluntary recall of its preservative-free artificial eye drops after several lots tested positive for dangerous bacterial infections. So far, there have been five people have been who suffered permanent vision loss, and one individual tragically passed away after using the now-recalled EzriCare Artificial Tears. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an urgent safety statement warning against the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears and all other preservative-free eye drops until further notice.
Several news sources, including NBCNews.com, are reporting that the maker of EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops, Global Pharma Healthcare, has initiated a voluntary recall of its preservative-free artificial eye drops after several lots tested positive for dangerous bacterial infections. So far, there have been five people have been who suffered permanent vision loss, and one individual tragically passed away after using the now-recalled EzriCare Artificial Tears. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued an urgent safety statement warning against the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears and all other preservative-free eye drops until further notice.
EzriCare is being recalled because the eye drop bottles are likely contaminated with an antibiotic-resistant bacterium called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, according to the CDC. EzriCare Artificial Tears have been connected to more than 55 bacterial infection cases in 12 states. Of those, five EzriCare Artificial Tears users suffered permanent vision loss, and at least one person died due to the dangerous Pseudomonas Aeruginosa bacteria entering their bloodstream.
Global Pharma Healthcare, an India-based manufacturer, declared its voluntary recall of its EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops on February 2, 2023. This urgent safety recall follows the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention emergency public warning that directed the public to stop using these eye drops immediately.
Global Pharma Healthcare’s recall notice stated that its product was distributed throughout the United States over the Internet. These recalled artificial eye drop solutions are distributed by both EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. EzriCare reported on February 1, 2023, that it did not have any “role in the formulation, packaging delivery system or actual manufacturing of this product.” EzriCare stated that it only designed the product’s label and marketed the product.
The CDC stated on February 1, 2023, that it is working with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and state and local health officials to determine how the deadly bacterial outbreak happened. According to the CDC, a majority of the people who because ill and lost their vision reported using the EzriCare eyedrops before they became violently ill. The CDC stated that these bacterial infections had been reported in New York, California, Florida, New Jersey, Connecticut, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, Utah, Nevada, Washington, and Wisconsin.
According to CDC investigators, the investigators found the Pseudomonas Aeruginosa bacteria inside bottles of eye drops. They are now conducting tests to determine whether or not the contaminated bottles matched the bacterial strain in patients. It is not clear if the contamination happened when bottles were opened by customers or during the manufacturing process. Pseudomonas Aeruginosa is a harmful bacterium that can be found on people’s hands.
According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, symptoms of an eye infection can include:
- Blurry vision.
- Green, yellow, or clear eye discharge.
- Eye pain.
- Eye discomfort.
- Redness of the eyelid or eye or eyelid.
- Feeling a foreign body in your eye.
- Increased sensitivity to light.
Other artificial tears products that could be affected include the following brand names:
- EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops
- Tears Naturale PM, Tears Naturale Forte, Tears Naturale Free Lubricant, Tears Naturale II Polyquad, Tears Plus
- Alcon Isopto Tears, Bion Tears
- Lacril/Lacryl
- Allergan – Liquifilm Tears
- Lubri-Tears (I found that this product may not be sold any more)
- Kays Medical – Minims Artificial Tears
- Refresh – Celluvisc
- Blink – Gel Tears
- Bausch & Lomb Advanced Eye Relief Dry Eye Environmental Lubricant Eye Drops, Advanced Eye Relief Dry Eye Rejuvenation Lubricant Eye Drops, Soothe Long Lasting (Preservative Free) Eye Drops
- Visine Tired Eye Relief, Visine TEARS Dry Eye Relief, and Visine TEARS Long Lasting Dry Eye Relief.
If you or a loved one have lost vision or if you lost a family member to contaminated artificial eye drops, you could be eligible to pursue an EzriCare Lawsuit to receive monetary compensation for the harm caused by the product.
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