CDC reports two more deaths connected to bacteria found in recalled eye drops.

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An unusual type of bacteria discovered in recalled eye drops has been connected to various infections, along with instances of losing eyesight and the need for eye surgery. The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has verified that two other fatalities, adding up to three, have been connected to the bacterial contamination.

The Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops that were sent out by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma last month have been recalled by Global Pharma Healthcare. The agency is cautioning people against utilizing these drops.

From March 21 onwards, the CDC has found 68 individuals across 16 states who have been infected with a type of drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa that has never been seen before in the US. The majority of those affected claimed they used artificial tears, with EzriCare Artificial Tears being the brand that was reported most frequently, according to the CDC.

Adverse events have been reported, which consist of infections in various parts of the body like the cornea, bloodstream, respiratory tract, and urinary tract. Moreover, there are accounts of eight individuals losing their eyesight, and four individuals having their eyeballs surgically removed.

The problems that arose were further elaborated on in two case reports that were published on Wednesday in JAMA Ophthalmology.

One of the recently published instances recounted a lady of 72 years old who experienced loss of eyesight in her left eye following a week of using EzriCare synthetic drops as a treatment for dry eyes.

According to Dr. Ahmed Omar, an ophthalmologist at University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center who provided care to the woman, she began experiencing blurry vision in her left eye for a few days. Although she didn't feel any pain at first, she and her husband noticed a yellow discharge on her pillow one morning. It was then that she realized her eye looked different.

The lady visited the ER and the medical professionals discovered a huge sore on her left cornea that practically took up her entire eye. She had to stay in the hospital for twenty-one days and was given antibiotics through an IV, antibiotic eye drops, and underwent several surgeries.

The situation of the lady became difficult due to the presence of a serious choroidal detachment, an unusual aggregation of liquid, which ultimately resulted in the loss of vision in her left eye.

There's another instance where a man aged 72 was discovered to have developed an infection on his cornea known as multidrug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa keratitis.

After experiencing intense pain and noticing a decrease in his right eye's vision, the man decided to visit the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. He had never had any eye complications before but admitted to using EzriCare artificial tears for dry eyes.

Dr. Marissa Shoji, a resident physician at the institute who provided medical care to the patient, reported that the patient's right eye had a serious infection in the cornea. The level of ulceration was so severe that the patient could only see faint outlines and was unable to read letters.

According to Dr. Naomi Gutkind, who provided medical care to the patient, the gentleman was given potent antibiotics to remedy his condition.

The woman mentioned that they usually anticipate some level of progress from the medicines. However, his condition was deteriorating rapidly when they saw him after two days. This made them ask about the EzriCare tears, which are known to be linked with an unresponsive infection that even potent antibiotics might not be able to cure.

The same kind of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas was found in both the man's cornea and in the EzriCare bottle, indicating that they both had the same strain.

During the man's two-month check-up, it was noted that his eyesight is at 20/400. Essentially, this means that he can only see things from a distance of 20 feet that healthy individuals can see from 400 feet away.

According to Dr. Guillermo Amescua, an eye doctor at the Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, there was a time when the man was at risk of losing his eyesight permanently. Due to a corneal scar, he now has what is referred to as corneal blindness and can only see at a level that is considered legally blind. However, Dr. Amescua believes that a corneal transplant could provide him with a more positive outlook for his vision.

According to Shoji, this situation illuminates both the immediate and lasting consequences of Pseudomonas keratitis. In the short run, individuals may experience immense agony, diminished eyesight, and an elevated likelihood of developing a hole in the eye that could worsen the infection.

She stated that there is a possibility of requiring surgery, such as undergoing corneal transplant or other surgeries, to treat scarring that may impair vision considerably, even after the infection has been eradicated in the future.

According to a statement from EzriCare, they took swift action upon hearing about the CDC's investigation into Pseudomonas infections on January 20th. They moved quickly to prevent any additional distribution or sales of EzriCare Artificial Tears. They also made an effort to reach out to customers and advise them against continuing to use the product, as much as possible.

The doctors who are a part of the latest research anticipate that by shedding light on these instances, they can avoid others from undergoing parallel difficulties.

Shoji recommends refraining from using EzriCare or Delsam eye drops until the investigation has been completed.

"If you are experiencing any issues with your eyes, such as pain, redness or a reduction in your vision, it is essential to make an appointment with an ophthalmologist for further review," she stated. "When attending your appointment, be sure to bring any item that may have caused the infection, particularly contact lens cases, contact lenses, or eye drops."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, signs and indications may incorporate release from the eye that is yellow, green, or transparent; inconvenience or anguish in the eye; the redness of the eye or eyelid; the sensation that something is in the eye; expanded affectability to light; and obscured vision.

Physicians are advising all individuals to exercise carefulness when it comes to using eye drops.

According to Dr. Christina Prescott, an ophthalmologist from NYU who wrote a commentary on the possible dangers of artificial tears, people often fail to recognize eye drops and contact lenses as medical devices. They are often seen as common, over-the-counter products like skin lotions.

According to Prescott, it is important for individuals to maintain the sterility of their eye drops. This involves refraining from making contact with the bottle's tip with their fingers, any part of their skin or eye, avoiding sharing the product with other individuals and not using eye drops that have gone past their expiration date.

Individuals must exercise care when using eye drops that do not contain preservatives due to the risk of contamination. This may result in severe infection.

She explained that putting anything contaminated into your eyes can pose a serious risk of infection due to the vulnerable nature of the eyes.