Federal Agency Warns Outbreak Of Drug-Resistant Infections After Use Of OTC Artificial Tear Brand

• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a health advisory regarding multidrug-resistant bacterial infections due to artificial tears from a brand of nonprescription eye drops.

• At least 55 patients in 12 states have been diagnosed with multidrug-resistant bacterial infections possibly linked to EzriCare Artificial Tears, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Wednesday.

• The CDC said that the infections had caused one death, permanent vision loss, and hospitalization in a health alert on its website.

• CDC laboratory testing identified the presence of the outbreak strain in opened EzriCare bottles with different lot numbers collected from two states.

• Patients and healthcare providers should immediately discontinue using EzriCare artificial tears pending additional guidance from CDC and the FDA.

• EzriCare said it has stopped distributing and selling the eye drops.

• The infections were caused by Pseudomonas aeruginosa, the CDC said, a bacterium highly resistant to antibiotics.

• The CDC advised people who have used EzriCare Artificial Tears and who have symptoms of infection such as eye discharge, pain, or discomfort to seek medical care.

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