Contaminated Eyedrops Linked to Deaths and Vision Losses on the Rise

At least 68 people in 16 states have been infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a drug-resistant bacterium linked to eyedrops, with three deaths and eight reports of vision loss. Four eyedrops have been recalled, including EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, which have been associated with the bacterial infection. Patients who suffered infections of Pseudomonas aeruginosa reported using more than 10 brands of artificial tears, but none as often as EzriCare. Symptoms of eye infection include yellow, green or clear discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, a sensation that there is something in your eye, increased sensitivity to light, and blurry vision.