Do you have ever used artificial tears to hydrate your dry eyes that help to keep the outer surface of the eye wet? Well, if you have been using it till now then stop!! Because recently there was research conduct on the use of one of the most popular Eye Drops; ‘Ezricare eyedrops’ own by a well-renown company; Ezricare.

Table Of Content

• Manufacturer’s perspective
• Symptoms of Eye infection
• Statement of Defence by Eazricare
• Data and Statistics

This mayhem began when CDC (Centre for Disease Control and Prevention) started an investigation in May 2022 that included 55 cases in 12 states with irreversible vision loss, hospitalization, and one death. 

According to CDC reports, people with eye infections were using at least one of more than 10 artificial eye care brands and among them, most of these patients admitted to using EzriCare’s product. These Ezricare eyedrops are even more dangerous because they lack preservatives, which are substances that stop bacteria from growing.

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The CDC claims to have received reports of sepsis as well as infections of the eye, intraocular fluids, respiratory system, and urinary tract.

The most shocking revelation by CDC was this particular strain of the bacteria was unheard of in the United States prior to the current outbreak and is resistant to carbapenems, a class of antibiotics that are normally reserved for last-resort treatment. This particular bacteria is called Pseudomonas aeruginosa; which has the potential to infect the blood, lungs, and other body components. Till now it has caused one death and left 5 among 11 people (suffering from eye infections) completely blind and many were hospitalized.

Manufacturer’s perspective

The manufacturer of these Ezricare eyedrops; called Global Pharma Healthcare Pvt Ltd originated in India pulled back all the excess production in the distribution line and halted the manufacturing. 

However, the company issued a statement saying “Global Pharma continues to look into this situation in full cooperation with U.S. federal authorities, we have not yet established if the contamination originated at our production plant”. 

When EzriCare eyedrops were gather from patients with and without eye infections, the C.D.C. reported that it had discovered the drug-resistant bacterial species in opened vials of the eye drops. Unopened vials are still being test by the FDA to see if manufacturing-related contamination was an issue. 

According to the Centers for Disease control and prevention, between May 2022 and January, the bacteria strain was discover so far in patients in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. According to the organization, 35 of those 55 instances were connect to four clusters of healthcare facilities.

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Symptoms of Eye infection

If you think you are one of the prey of these contaminated Ezricare eyedrops, these symptoms will appear. If that’s the case immediately get help from the medical assistance team.

• Yellowish or greenish discharge from the eye or
• Clear Discharge  
• Redness & Puffiness of the eyes or Eyelids
• Increased sensitivity to brightness
• Eye pain or discomfort

However, the statement of relief has passed by the spokesperson of the ‘ American Academy of Opthalmology’ said that there is no need to be worried about using other types of eyedrops. He also added that people use these eyedrop bottles every day to treat either glaucoma or as an antibiotic.   

Since the Ezricare eyedrops bottles are preservative-free Dr. Steinemann suggest to people who use them regularly to wash their hands properly and close the lid tightly after being use. And don’t ever touch the tip of the vial since doing so can lead the drops to become contaminated. He further said ‘Don’t touch the bottle to your eye or to your face or to your nose’.

Statement of Defence by Eazricare    

In its defense, Ezricare stated that it did not produce eye drops and was only involve in label design and customer marketing. 

When EzriCare learned of the C.D.C. investigation for the first time on January 20, it “immediately took action to prohibit any further distribution or sale of EzriCare Artificial Tears,” according to the company. The business claimed that it has also made contact with customers to urge them to cease using the eye drops.

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Data and Statistics         

Public health professionals have caution that more needs to done on a worldwide scale to stop the spread of drug-resistant diseases, which happen when bacteria and fungi gain the ability to evade the antibiotics and antifungals that have create to kill them.

According to CDC research, drug-resistant illnesses claimed the lives of nearly 30,000 Americans in 2020, a 15% increase from 2019. The coronavirus, which in the early stages of the pandemic was unknown to medical specialists, was primarily responsible for the surge. Before vaccinations and other therapies were available, many people tried antibiotics to treat the sickness.

Over 700,000 people worldwide pass away from diseases with medication resistance every year. And it is expect that it could reach to 10 million deaths by 2050 giving birth to a global crisis.

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