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'What a nightmare!' Three die, many lose vision across 16 states after using contaminated eye drops

CDC urges patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma's eye drops and noticed symptoms of eye infection to get medical care 'immediately'

ATLANTA, GEORGIA: The CDC has issued a warning in the wake of rising death toll from contaminated eye drops that have struck panic across the US. Three people have died, eight have lost their vision and four have surgically removed their eyeballs after using eyedrops contaminated with a "rare strain" of bacteria called pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops distributed by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma Eyedrops were recalled by Global Pharma Healthcare in February. Around 68 patients in 16 states have been infected after using the bacteria-laced eyedrops as of March 14, according to an update by the CDC. Patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma's eye drops and have noticed symptoms of an eye infection are to get medical care "immediately," urges CDC.

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What is pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that is found commonly in the environment like in soil and in water contaminated with these germs, reads the CDC website. These bacteria are antibiotic resistant which means they do not respond to antibiotics designed to kill them. Signs of an eye infection include yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye; eye pain or discomfort; redness of the eye or eyelid; feeling of something in your eye; increased sensitivity to light; and blurry vision, the CDC reports. 

CDC identified the 16 states where patients are infected as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin, reported Daily Mail. Even though most patients reported using 10 different brands of artificial tears but EzriCare Artificial Tears, was the brand commonly used by the infected. The recalled eyedrops, EzriCare and Delsam Pharma Eyedrops, were manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare in India.

Patients suffering from Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria

The outbreak of pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria is considered particularly worrisome. A patient who was infected after using the contaminated eyedrop allegedly lost her vision. "She started noticing some blurry vision in her left eye for a few days," said Dr Ahmed Omar, an ophthalmologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, who treated the woman. "It was initially painless, but according to the patient and her husband, one morning she woke up and she had a yellow discharge on her pillow. And that's when she started noticing that the appearance of her eye had changed," reported the source. Doctors found a large ulcer on her left cornea when the woman was rushed to hospital. After enduring IV antibiotics, antibiotic eye drops, and multiple surgical interventions for three weeks, the woman lost vision in the left eye due to serous choroidal detachment, an abnormal accumulation of fluid. 

Another case involved a 72-year-old man who used EzriCare artificial tears for eye dryness, and developed significant vision loss after being infected in the cornea. The elderly man's condition apparently improved but he still suffered vision issues. Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami where the man was being treated discovered he had multidrug-resistant pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis. "When we examined his right eye, there was a severe corneal infection," said Dr Marissa Shoji, who treated the man. "He could only see shadows and was not able to see letters due to the extent of the ulcer." Doctors said his condition only worsened after using strong antibiotics. "We typically expect some degree of improvement these medications, but when we saw him two day later, he was getting far worse," she said. 

"So that's when we inquired about specifically the EzriCare tears, because we knew they were associated with resistant infection that may not respond to those really strong antibiotics." His vision is now reported to be of 20/400, meaning he can see at 20 feet what healthy people can see at 400 feet. "At some point, he was in danger of having permanent vision loss,' said Dr Guillermo Amescua, an ophthalmologist at Bascom Palmer Eye Institute. "He now has what is called corneal blindness because he's 20/400 and has a corneal scar, but with corneal transplantation, he might have a better prognosis."

'What a nightmare'

The outbreak has struck panic with many flocking to social media to express their fury. One user said on Twitter, "Most cases have been linked to EzriCare and Delsam Pharma eye drops, made by India-based Global Pharma Healthcare. Saved you a click." Another added, "What a nightmare!" "This is very concerning! I would bet money the production equipment was not sterile. Or was this deliberately done I hope they sue. I have a history of dry eye syndrome. Im glad my ophthalmologist told me to use systane eye drops. Other brands tend to irritate my eyes," a third added. "So glad I use thera tears instead of the cheap stuff..." a tweet read. "Anyone involved with making this Garbage & lethal product should get locked up for life," another user said. 

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