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2023 Update: CDC Says Patients Should Stop Using EzriCare Artificial Tears
On Feb. 1, 2023, the CDC issued a Health Advisory concerning eye infections and other types of infections associated with using EzriCare Artificial Tears. The preservative-free lubricant eye drop is used to treat dry eye and is sold in multidose bottles by major retailers such as Walmart and Amazon.
Specifically, the CDC has identified 68 patients in 16 states with a type of antibiotic-resistant bacterial infection known as carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA).
“Recent epidemiology and laboratory evidence link those infections to use of EzriCare Artificial Tears.”
— Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
So far, CRPA cases have been reported in these states:
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Florida
- Illinois
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- Nevada
- North Carolina
- Pennsylvania
- South Dakota
- Texas
- Utah
- Washington
- Wisconsin
The CDC said it has detected CRPA in opened bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears.
The agency recommends that health care providers and consumers “immediately discontinue using EzriCare Artificial Tears.”
The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has issued a similar warning.
Additionally, Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited, the product manufacturer, has initiated a voluntary product recall based on the FDA’s recommendation.
When a product harms innocent people, they may be able to take legal action and file a product liability lawsuit. For example, an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit allows injured consumers to pursue financial compensation for medical bills, pain and suffering, and more and hold negligent drug companies accountable.
Not sure if you’re eligible for an EzriCare eye lawsuit? Our team at LawFirm.com can help. Contact us today for a free case review.
EzriCare Artificial Tears & Eye Infections
People who have used EzriCare Artificial Tears are at risk of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA), a type of bacterial infection resistant to a class of antibiotics known as carbapenems.
Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria commonly found in soil and water. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is the strain that is most likely to make people sick. It can cause infections in the blood, lungs, and other parts of the body.
CRPA in the eyes can cause eye infections such as:
- Conjunctivitis (pink eye)
- Endophthalmitis (inflammation inside the eye)
- Keratitis (inflammation of the cornea)
What Are the Symptoms of EzriCare Artificial Tears Eye Infections?
People who have used EzriCare Artificial Tears should know the symptoms of a CRPA eye infection to protect their health.
Symptoms of CRPA eye infections often include:
- Blurred vision
- Discharge from the eye
- Feeling of something in the eye
- Light sensitivity
- Pain in the eye
- Red or swollen eyes
Of the 68 patients the CDC is monitoring, the outcomes include:
- Eye infection (including keratitis and endophthalmitis)
- Hospitalization
- Permanent vision loss (blindness)
- Respiratory infection
- Sepsis (bloodstream infection)
- Surgical removal of eyeball (enucleation)
- Urinary tract infection
Additionally, one patient died after the bacterium invaded their bloodstream.
Patients with cataracts, glaucoma, and other eye conditions are most likely to experience vision loss and other serious eye issues. In addition, people with compromised immune systems are most at risk of life-threatening health problems.
People who have used EzriCare Artificial Tears but are not showing signs of infection do not need to get tested for CRPA, according to the CDC.
If you or a loved one are experiencing eye infection symptoms or other health issues after using Ezricare Artificial Tears eye drops, get medical attention as soon as possible. Next, contact one of our team members at LawFirm.com at (888) 726-9160 for a free case review.
How Are EzriCare Artificial Tears Eye Infections Treated?
Doctors treat CRPA eye infections with antibiotics in most cases.
Specifically, treatment options for CRPA eye infections may include:
- Antibiotics (given intravenously or as eye drops)
- Drainage of infected tissue
- Surgery
The CDC notes that CRPA infections are becoming more challenging to treat because of increasing antibiotic resistance.
“For some multidrug-resistant types of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, treatment options might be limited.”
– Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
If your doctor instructed you to use EzriCare Artificial Tears, you should ask them about a different artificial tears eye drop to use.
Get Help With an EzriCare Artificial Tears Lawsuit
EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drop users who have been harmed by this dangerous product have the right to seek compensation and justice.
In general, people eligible for an EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuit are those who used EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops and later:
- Developed an eye infection or other infection and/or
- Experienced vision loss or another injury
The first step in filing an EzriCare Artificial Tears Lawsuit is to partner with an experienced personal injury lawyer. The attorneys in our network that work on dangerous product cases have a proven track record of helping people like you across the United States.
These lawyers can handle your case from filing to resolution and have the resources to take on powerful drug companies. They charge no up-front or out of pocket costs — the law firms only get paid if they recover compensation for you.
Contact us today to see if you qualify to file a suit with one of the law firms in our network.
FAQs About EzriCare Artificial Tears
Are artificial tears safe?
Yes, most artificial tears are safe for use. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on Feb. 1, 2023, issued a Health Advisory instructing consumers to immediately stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears because the eye drop has been linked to drug-resistant eye infections.
Which brand of eye drops is being recalled?
Eye drops sold under the brand name EzriCare Artificial Tears have been recalled. Global Pharma, the company that makes EzriCare Artificial Tears, issued the voluntary recall on Feb. 2, 2023, because of possible bacterial contamination.
The FDA suggested the recall based on Global Pharma’s violation of manufacturing regulations. For example, the agency said Global Pharma:
- Failed to properly test the eye drops for bacteria
- Manufactured the eye drops in multi-use bottles without a sufficient preservative
Who manufactures EzriCare Artificial Tears?
Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited manufactures EzriCare Artificial Tears in India. The product is distributed in the United States by Aru Pharma Inc. and Delsam Pharma.
On Feb. 2, 2023, the company voluntarily recalled the product, saying in its risk statement that use of EzriCare Artificial Tears “can result in the risk of eye infections that could result in blindness.”
What is CRPA?
CRPA is short for carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a strain of bacteria resistant to standard antibiotics. So far, the CDC has identified 68 patients in 16 states with the infection.
Most of the patients reported using EzriCare Artificial Tears — a preservative-free eye drop used to treat dry eye — before they became sick. The manufacturer has recalled the product.
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