Another Death Linked To Eyedrops Recalled In Florida

FLORIDA — A fourth person has died in a multi-state outbreak of a drug-resistant bacterial infection linked to contaminated eyedrops, and there are now 81 patients in 18 states, including Florida.

Another 14 patients lost their vision because of the eyedrops and four lost their eye, according to an update from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In most cases, patients reported using artificial tears. While they reported more than 10 different brands, the one most commonly used by those reporting cases of the bacteria used EzriCare Artificial Tears, an over-the-counter product, the agency said.

The outbreak of a strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa has affected 81 patients in 18 states, including California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin, the CDC said in its May 15 update about the outbreak. Patients have been reported since May 2022.

Three products have been voluntarily recalled by their manufacturer, India-based Global Pharma in the outbreak: EzriCare Artificial Tears, Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma Artificial Ointment.

In one case in Florida, Adam Di Sarro, a fire captain in Naples, lost his vision after using EzriCare Artificial Tears and has filed a complaint against its manufacturers and distributors, according to Ophthalmology Times.

He told CBS News that he’s used the artificial tears for dryness in his left eye for years. He only began having trouble with his vision after using the eyedrops last fall.

"The redness came on, the irritation came on, a lot of itching, and it was abnormal," Di Sarro said. "It just progressively got worse, to the point where I couldn't even see within a few hours."
Doctors even feared he might lose his eye and months later, he hasn’t been able to return to work.

Patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears or eye ointment, and who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should seek immediate medical care, the CDC said.

Eye infection symptoms may include:

• Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Redness of the eye or eyelid
• A feeling of something in your eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision