Artificial Tear Brand Linked to Eye Infections

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Artificial Tear Brand Linked to Eye Infections

The CDC is investigating a multi-state cluster of Pseudomonas aeruginosa associated with different infection types, namely eye infections resulting from the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears.

From May 17, 2022, to January 19, 2023, the CDC isolated 50 patients from 11 states (CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, NM, NY, NV, TX, UT, WA) who had positive clinical cultures in areas ranging from the retina to the blood, and on rectal swabs. Patient outcomes from these infections included permanent vision loss resulting from ocular disease, hospitalization, and even the death of one patient with a bloodstream infection.

According to the CDC, the product of concern was EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free product dispensed in multidose bottles. Laboratory testing of the tears by the CDC identified the presence of Pseudomonas in opened EzriCare bottles; testing of unopened bottles is ongoing. The CDC recommends that clinicians and patients immediately discontinue use of EzriCare Artificial Tears until the epidemiological investigation and laboratory analyses are complete.

My Two Cents

Simply put, this is horrifying. How often do we hear patients say that they decided to try a new eye drop that a friend recommended or that they got “whatever is on sale”? For an eye drop to cause this level of damage, including the death of a patient, is something I haven’t heard of before. I own a dry eye company called Eyedration that makes products for consumers, and I am all too familiar with the importance of sterility and safety. This news is every business's worst nightmare, but also a good reminder to vet all of your product recommendations thoroughly

CAN YOU RELATE

The flu. For the first time in 8 years, I was stricken by this year’s influenza virus. Interestingly, this lines up with the first time in 8 years that I didn’t get a flu shot. Coincidence?

I think this emphasizes just how important all areas of self-care are for us as physicians. Over the past few months, I must have said, “I’m too busy to get that flu shot” dozens of times. Now that same attitude has resulted in me sitting home for days on end, healing up, forcing my patients to wait to see me, and losing money, not to mention the expected double and triple bookings to make up for it.

When we as doctors think of self-care, we tend to think of massages, cosmetic work, sleeping in, and other similar activities. However, we need to remember that we must practice what we preach regarding all aspects of health care.

OUTSIDE THE LANE

Time-Out for Lens Reinsertion

During last weekend’s National Football League divisional-round matchup game between the New York Football Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles, something interesting happened to Giants quarterback Daniel Jones. During their third possession in a season-defining game, the Giants were forced to call a timeout. Why? The quarterback’s contact lens had fallen out of his eye. For millions of viewers worldwide, eye care took center stage. Fans stared intently at their screens as we watched Jones calmly place the contact lens back in his eye.

Photo: Fox

The announcer said, “You talk about pressure, playing in the playoffs. How about putting a contact in on the spot with everyone watching!” Daniel Jones just moved up my power rankings of quarterbacks.

Here’s hoping one of our industry partners sees this as an opportunity to partner with a young quarterback. Or maybe one of our New York doctors will dream up a viral marketing campaign similar to what my fellow Williamson doctors and I did after the Saints were robbed of a playoff victory a few years back because of some lousy officiating.