https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11892027/Three-people-died-using-eyedrops-contaminated-rare-bacterial-superbug.htmlThree people die after using contaminated eyedrops bought at Walmart, CVS and Target: Eight lose vision and four have eyeballs surgically removed due to rare bacterial superbug in solution.
Three people have died and eight others have lost their vision after using eyedrops contaminated with a rare bacteria that were bought at pharmacies across the US.
As of March 14, 68 patients in 16 states have been infected with this 'rare strain' of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, according to an update by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Among those who used the bacteria-laced Artificial Tears eyedrops, four patients had to have their eyeballs removed as a result.
Global Pharma Healthcare recalled its Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops that were distributed by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma last month. Typically, the product is used for people suffering with dry eyes who need extra lubrication.
The drops had been sold at drug stores across the country, including Walmart, Target, and CVS, and on Amazon, though the products have since been pulled.
Health authorities are continuing to track infections as they investigate the outbreak in 16 states, including California, New York, Illinois, Texas and Pennsylvania.
The CDC is urging patients who have used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma's artificial tears and who have noticed symptoms of an eye infection to get medical care 'immediately.'
Signs of an eye infection include yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye; eye pain or discomfort; redness of the eye or eyelid; feeling of something in your eye; increased sensitivity to light; and blurry vision, the CDC reports.
Most of the cases have been linked to four regional clusters and Ezricare's drops are the only product used by patients in each of those groups.
Most patients reported using 10 different brands of artificial tears, but EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free, over-the-counter product packaged in multi-dose bottles, was the brand most commonly reported.
The CDC identified the 16 states where patients are infected as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin.
The recalled drops were manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare in India, where the bacteria - Pseudomonas aeruginosa - is commonly linked to outbreaks in hospitals.
It can spread through contaminated hands or medical equipment.
The outbreak is considered particularly worrisome because the bacteria driving it is resistant to standard antibiotics.
Two case studies published in JAMA Ophthalmology this week and highlighted by CNN provided more details about the infections.
In one case, a 72-year-old woman lost vision in her left eye after using EzriCare artificial tears for about a week.
