Two people died weeks after US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned of the immediate discontinuation of a popular brand of eye drops. One person had lost his life as a result of drug use. As of March 14, 68 people in 16 US states have been diagnosed with infections caused by a rare strain highly resistant to antibiotics. The bacterium responsible for killing and blinding people is the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Eight people lost their sight and four patients had to have an eye surgically removed. Most of those infected with the bacteria had selfmedicated with the eye drops. EzriCare artificial tears, manufactured by an Indian pharmaceutical company, Global Pharma. The bacterium can thrive on anything from jet fuel to distilled water.
A 72yearold man presented with an ongoing infection and extreme vision loss in his right eye. Even with the systematic use of antibiotics, the patient’s infection persisted. In Miami, a 68yearold woman had her right eye removed that became infected last September; She had bought such drops to get rid of irritation from wearing contact lenses. EzriCare dealers in the US have said they will withdraw the product as a priority.
In alarming tones, experts said pockets of pathogens will spread quickly Travel international increases. The bacteria in eye drops can spread easily, especially in the United States.