CDC warns of more deaths and eye removals in patients with bacterial infections linked to contaminated eyedrops.

On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revealed that tainted eyedrops have caused fatal bacterial infections in three individuals and resulted in the removal of eyeballs from four others. These types of infections are uncommon.

The organization found out that there are 68 individuals in 16 different states who are infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a sort of bacteria that cannot be treated by most antibiotics. Sadly, eight of these patients experienced vision loss in one of their eyes, and a few even needed corneal transplants.

Many people claimed they had utilized different eye drops prior to falling ill, although the most frequently mentioned was EzriCare Artificial Tears. These drops have subsequently been withdrawn from the market, as have Delsam Pharma's Artificial Tears and Artificial Eye Ointment.

According to an email from a CDC spokesperson, a lot of people had already fallen sick even before the agency informed the public about the possible threat on January 20th. Due to the process of testing samples from patients to determine if they are infected with the same strain linked to the outbreak, the CDC anticipates that additional cases will be discovered in due course.

What are drug-resistant bacteria?

Pseudomonas aeruginosa germs are frequently present in water, soil, and on the hands of individuals who are in good health. Nonetheless, infections are typically observed in medical institutions among individuals whose immune systems are weakened. According to the CDC, up to 37 patients were associated with four hospital outbreaks.

The organization stated that this specific type of bacteria that can resist drugs was previously unknown in the United States until this epidemic occurred.

Some of the patients didn't have infections in their eyes. Additional cases showed they had infections in their respiratory system or urinary tract. Fatalities can happen if the bacteria spread to the bloodstream.

Signs and Symptoms of Eye Infection

As per the CDC guidelines, individuals must consult a medical practitioner if they witness any indications of an eye infection such as:

Erika Edwards works as a news writer and reporter on health and medicine topics for both NBC News and the "TODAY" show.