The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued a recall for three eye drop brands, one of which has been connected to severe infections, permanent blindness, and a fatality. Specialists from UC Davis Health provide essential information on this matter. Customers are urged to discontinue using the listed brands and return them to their point of purchase. EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops have been linked to serious eye infections and should be thrown away.
The three eye drop brands that have been linked to severe eye injuries and at least one death include:
- EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops – On February 2, 2023. the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers not to use EzriCare Artificial Tears due to potential Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial contamination. The bacteria has injured at least 55 patients and led to the death of at least one person. one death. A drug-resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, caused these dangerous and deadly infections.
- Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%. Apotex Corporation has begun a recall of at least six lots of its Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution. The recall was initiated on March 1, 2023, after it was discovered that there were cracks on the caps.
- Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops. The FDA issued a recall announcement concerning these eye drops on March 3, 2023. These over-the-counter eye drop products were recalled due to non-sterility.
The FDA also issued a recall of Global Pharma Healthcare Artificial Eye Ointment due to potential bacterial contamination. So far, there have been no infections connected to the over-the-counter product.
According to Gary D. Novack, a professor at UC Davis Health, “If you are using any of these specific products, stop.” Mr. Novack is a clinical pharmacologist who has dozens of years of experience in ophthalmic product development. Novack stated that using contaminated artificial tears can increase the chance of having a severe eye infection that could result in blindness or death.
The most common symptoms of an eye infection include eye discharge, blurry vision, pain, redness of the eyelid or eye, discomfort, feeling like you have something in your eye, and light sensitivity. Should you experience these symptoms, seek urgent treatment from an eye care professional.
Jeffrey Ma, an ophthalmologist at UC Davis, explains that preservative-free drops are available in disposable single-use vials. As long as users avoid touching the vial’s tip to their eyes and don’t keep it for longer than a day, preservative-free drops are a safe and effective solution for dry eyes. Ma notes that these drops are generally gentle on the eyes and can be applied more frequently during the day.
Ma also recommends that users wash their hands prior to touching their eyes or eye drops and check the eye drop’s expiration date.
The three recent eye drop recalls seem to have no connection. EzriCare Artificial Tears were recalled following the CDC linking them to severe infections across various states. The recall of Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution occurred due to a manufacturing issue involving the caps. Meanwhile, the recall of Purely Soothing, 15% MSM Drops was prompted by non-sterility concerns.
To learn more about drug recalls, visit the FDA’s website. If you suspect you might have an eye infection, reach out to your eye care professional.
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