What You Need to Know About the Recall of Eye Drops Linked to Deaths and Blindness

This is an explanation of how you can check if your eye drops are secure to apply and how to identify any possible infections.

Medical experts are currently examining a case of a bacterial strain that is resistant to antibiotics. This particular strain has been found inside specific types of artificial tear bottles, which are used for lubrication of the eyes.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shared that there have been a total of 68 cases of infection as of March 14. Sadly, three individuals have lost their lives, while eight have lost vision, and four have needed to undergo surgical removal of an eye. The Food and Drug Administration asked the pharmaceutical company Global Pharma Healthcare to take action and recall artificial tears and eye ointment sold by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. These companies are located in New Jersey and New York State and the products they sold came from India.

According to the government organizations, these items were contaminated during their production with an uncommon variant of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterium. This strain is impervious to the potent and prevalent carbapenem antibiotics.

According to Christopher Starr, a physician specializing in the eyes at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City and the American Academy of Ophthalmology's representative, only those who use the particular brands that are being recalled should be worried. He advises everyone to ensure that the bottle they are about to use is not one of the products that have been recalled before applying any eye drops. However, there is no need to worry about other eye drops available in the market.

The Scientific American had a conversation with Christina Prescott who is the head of the cornea services division and also the vice chair of education in the ophthalmology department at NYU Langone Health. The discussion was about the occurrences of infections.

[The modified text of the conversation is presented below.]

What catches your attention regarding this epidemic?

Typically, our patients do not pass away, especially from an issue that we generally view as harmless. Therefore, it is quite surprising. However, I do believe that it is increasing people's understanding of an issue that they have not previously considered.

We often encounter eye infections caused by the use of contaminated or poorly manufactured products. In the past, there have been problems with contact lens solutions. We hope that this information will raise awareness about the potential dangers of seemingly harmless products like artificial tears and encourage people to adopt safer habits. Ultimately, we anticipate that this will result in a reduction of eye infections as people become more mindful of their practices and develop better habits.

How prevalent are occurrences of eye infections such as this one?

It's highly uncommon for people to die from contaminated eye drops, but outbreaks do happen occasionally. It looks like every few years, we experience an outbreak of some sort of tainted solution. However, this is the first instance that I can remember in the United States of actual patient deaths resulting from polluted eye drops. We have unfortunately witnessed numerous cases of blindness before, but fatalities are something we haven't seen before.

What measures can individuals take to protect themselves from infections such as this?

Free English: These special eye drops are known as "preservative-free". Typically, when using these types of drops, we recommend that they be dispensed in single vials that resemble tiny ampules. Once opened, they are susceptible to bacteria, and the drops themselves provide an ideal environment for growth. Should any foreign substance make its way into the container, it is advisable to dispose of it after use to avoid contamination.

In the most recent cases, the drops were stored in a regular bottle without any safety measures to prevent contamination. If the label indicates that the drops do not contain any preservatives, then the bottle should either be a single vial or it should have a unique design to ensure cleanliness.

The issue with the eye drops was caused by the drops themselves. However, oftentimes patients practice poor sterile techniques. It is crucial to avoid touching the tip of the bottle with your hands, skin, or eyelashes so that bacteria cannot enter into the bottle and cause an infection. The root cause of the infection has been linked to the production of the drops. However, it is also important to note that eye drops can be contaminated by external sources, highlighting the significance of safety measures.

How can someone detect if they have an infection, and how should they react if they encounter such indications?

The organism Pseudomonas grows at a rapid pace. Initially, an infected eye will display minor symptoms such as slight redness and itching. The eye may also feel scratchy or gritty, leading contact lens wearers to believe something has attached itself to their lens. Within a day or two, vision will become blurry, and the eye will become inflamed and painful. In some cases, a white or yellowish dot may appear on the cornea, which is the clear part of the eye. The infection can progress at a rapid pace, leading to the thinning of the cornea within a few days, causing the infection to take over healthy tissue. In severe situations, the cornea may even perforate.

It's important to schedule a visit with your eye doctor without delay if you suspect an eye infection. These types of infections are quite prevalent, and receiving prompt medical attention leads to better outcomes. Timely intervention can result in resolution of the issue within a few days.

What is the typical method of dealing with P. aeruginosa?

It is a frequently occurring infection that tends to be quite severe. However, it is usually susceptible to various kinds of antibiotics. Fortunately, this ailment progresses rapidly, but it is also highly responsive to treatment. In most cases, patients observe a substantial improvement within the first two days of commencing the appropriate therapy.

Meghan Bartels works as a journalist specializing in science and as a news reporter for Scientific American. Her work is based in New York City.