CDC Says Stop Using These Eye Drops Over Possible Links To Dozens Of Infections And One Death

The CDC has issued a warning to stop using EzriCare brand Artificial Tears over concerns the eye drops could be linked to dozens of infections and vision loss in at least 11 states. One person who reportedly used the eye drops even died of an infection, according to the CDC, but the companies behind the product have yet to issue a formal recall.

The CDC identified 50 infections from the Artificial Tears eye drops between May 17, 2022 and January 19, 2023, according to a press release from the health agency that’s been posted online.

“Recent epidemiology and laboratory evidence link these infections to use of EzriCare Artificial Tears,” the CDC said in a statement.

“Patient outcomes include permanent vision loss resulting from ocular infection, hospitalization, and death of one patient with bloodstream infection,” the CDC said.

EzriCare issued a statement on Wednesday saying that while the company doesn’t believe there are definitive links to its product, it’s nonetheless advising customers to stop using Artificial Tears.

“As of today, we are not aware of any testing that definitively links the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak to EzriCare Artificial Tears. Nonetheless, we immediately took action to stop any further distribution or sale of EzriCare Artificial Tears. To the greatest extent possible, we have been contacting customers to advise them against continued use of the product,” EzriCare said in a statement posted to its website.

The states identified by the CDC where the infections have occurred include: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington.

EzriCare’s Artificial Tears are manufactured in India and the company does not have any role in the formulation of the product, adding that Global Pharma Healthcare PVT Limited will likely be issuing a recall in the future. I reached out to Global Pharma for comment via email and will update this post if I hear back.