EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Artificial Tears Recalled for Bacterial Contamination

In early 2023, severe eye infections were recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC.

Nearly 100 of these cases involved the use of Ezricare Artificial Tears or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, raising concerns about the possibility of potential bacterial contamination.

The emergence of these cases prompted an investigation by the CDC.

According to the CDC, many bottles of artificial tears from Global Pharma Healthcare showed signs of extensive bacterial contamination.

The bottles of artificial tears from Global Pharma Healthcare contained traces of a drug-resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa’s presence in many bottles of Ezricare Artificial Tears caused Global Pharma Healthcare and the distributors of artificial tears (lubricant eye drops) to recall their products.

The recalled eye drops include:

• EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops.
• Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops.
• Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment.
• Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%.
• Purely Smoothing 15% MSM Drops.

The Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) warns consumers against using these products.

According to the FDA, the above products place users at high risk for severe bacterial eye infections.

If you’re developing eye pain, blurry vision, or other signs of vision loss from using either of the products mentioned here, don’t delay.

Seek medical treatment immediately, stop using your EzriCare eye drops, and contact an attorney.

When Were the Contaminated Artificial Tears Recalled?

EzriCare and Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears were recalled in February 2023.

According to Consumer Reports, the recall order came from the CDC and was due to findings of extensive bacterial contamination in these artificial eye drop products.

Besides the CDC’s order, widespread reports of eye infections and vision loss prompted the makers and distributors of these eye drops to recall their products.

By March 2023, the CDC recorded more than 80 cases of eye infections and vision loss resulting from the use of EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears products.

The complaints came from nearly 20 states.

Worse yet, of the cases of eye infection reported, there were a handful of deaths resulting from Ezricare and Delsam Pharma eye drop usage.

Recalls do nothing to undo the damage caused by bacterial contamination in the artificial tears products mentioned.

If you are a victim of vision loss from eye drop caused-infection, you may be eligible to take legal action and hold negligent manufacturers and distributors accountable.

Contact us now for a free consultation.

You can also use our chatbot and see if you qualify for a lawsuit.

FDA Finds Unsanitary Conditions at Global Healthcare Pharma Facility

The FDA inspected the facility that produced the recalled eye drops, finding dozens of issues that may have resulted in the rare strain of bacteria (pseudomonas aeruginosa) finding its way into the eye drops and artificial tears.

Detailed in citations served to the company, the FDA said that the company “…used a manufacturing process that lacked assurance of product sterility.”

The Global Healthcare Pharma facility had poor cleaning procedures, gaps in written procedures and training for workers at the plant, dirty machines used to fill its product into bottles, and other safety concerns.

Potential Health Effects of Contaminated Eye Drops

Healthcare professionals who have treated victims of EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears eye drops reported vision loss as a common effect of contaminated eye drops.

Vision loss can be temporary or permanent and is the result of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacterial infection affects mucous membranes like the eyes in several ways.

If left untreated, the rare strain of bacteria in contaminated eye drops can lead to the health effects listed below.

Progressive Eye Infection

Infections from Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be mild to severe.

At its mildest, an infection will manifest as itching and redness.

However, these symptoms can quickly progress.

Severe adverse events following Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection can include eye pain and swollen eyes.

Bacterial Keratitis From Pseudomonas Aeruginosa

Bacterial keratitis is an infection of the cornea.

The cornea is the dome-shaped surface that covers the front of your eyes.

Bacterial keratitis is a serious bacterial infection caused by several types of pathogens, including Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

The condition often occurs when Pseudomonas aeruginosa enters the eye through a corneal injury or a breakdown in the protective layer of the cornea.

Bacterial Keratitis can also affect individuals who have suffered eye trauma, have a weakened immune system, or have certain pre-existing eye conditions.

According to the CDC, symptoms of bacterial keratitis may include redness, eye pain, excessive tearing, blurred or decreased vision, light sensitivity (photophobia), and a feeling of something in the eye (foreign body sensation).

The eye may also appear swollen, and there may be discharge or crusting around the eyelids.

Endophthalmitis

Endophthalmitis is another serious eye infection potentially caused by any extensively drug-resistant strain of bacteria like Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

The condition affects the vitreous humor of the eyes, which are the fluid-formed portions of your eyes.

Common symptoms of eye infection include blurring of vision, and at its worst, the condition may also lead to light sensitivity which may progress to the loss of vision.

Endophthalmitis is a serious eye infection.

For this reason, if you suspect it following your use of contaminated EzriCare Artificial Tears or Delsam Pharma’s lubricant eye drops, seek medical treatment immediately.

When Should I Get Medical Attention?

Seeking prompt medical care is essential to prevent further vision loss from EzriCare and Delsam eye drops.

If you’ve used these artificial tear eye drops, seek attention from health professionals immediately if you experience the following:

• Redness or Itching of the Eyes: One of the earliest signs of infection is eye irritation. Eye irritation can progress quickly to more severe infection symptoms if left untreated.
• Blurring of Vision: If your vision starts to blur, it can signal that the lenses and fluid-formed portions of your eyes are infected. Ignoring this symptom can lead to blindness.
• Eye Pain: If you start to feel pain in your eyes following your use of eye drops, you need to seek medical care. Pain is a sign of inflammation resulting from infection. Seeing a physician at the earliest sign of pain can help prevent further infection and vision loss from contaminated eye drops or artificial eye ointment.
• Increased Sensitivity to Light: Increased light sensitivity is one of the most common eye infection symptoms. It’s usually a sign that infection has spread to the cornea and the lenses of your eyes.
• Fever: Fever is a tell-tale sign of extensive infection. It happens as part of the body’s response to fighting off infection. Fever can also indicate that your infection is progressing to full-blown sepsis, meaning you need to see a doctor immediately.

What Can an EzriCare Lawyer Do For Me?

Besides seeking medical attention, victims are encouraged take steps to initiate legal action against distributors of contaminated eye drops.

An experienced attorney can help you take legal action and fight to recover compensation .

An experienced EzriCare Lawyer will understand the dangers of recalled eye drops and be able to strategize your best route forward.

Below are different ways our EzriCare Lawyers can help you.

Case Evaluation

First, an attorney can determine your eligibility for a lawsuit.

By determining your eligibility, your attorney ensures that your claim gets filed in the correct time frame and against the correct defendants.

Evaluating your eligibility for a case is a critical step in filing a lawsuit against negligent companies.

Contact us at TorHoerman Law for a free case review.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to see if you qualify for a lawsuit instantly.

Assistance in Gathering Evidence

Gathering sufficient evidence is critical to your claim’s success.

However, a common sticking point for many victims is determining which kinds of records will strengthen their claims.

If you’re unsure about what evidence you need, our attorneys can help.

We can provide expert advice on what records you should gather and retain.

By doing this, we ensure that we acquire enough evidence to build your case.

Evidence in a potential EzriCare Artificial Tears Lawsuit may include:

• Medical records
• Doctor’s notes
• Receipts of purchase for an over the counter product
• Prescription records
• Photos, videos and personal testimony
• Any other evidence relating use of contaminated eye drops to subsequent injuries

Besides advising you on what records and documents to gather, we can also help you collect more evidence by consulting experts.

Negotiating for the Outcome You Deserve

Liable parties will likely have insurance providers to indemnify them.

Some of these companies may approach you to offer a settlement.

Do not accept it.

These settlement offers will appear generous but are actually lowball settlements.

We will work hard to negotiate and ensure that you receive a fair compensation payout.

By leaving the negotiations in our hands, we will protect your legal rights and advocate for a fair settlement that offsets any pain and suffering caused by your injuries.

TorHoerman Law: Investigating the EzriCare Recall Lawsuit

Those injured by recalled and contaminated eye drops are encouraged to report adverse reactions and report adverse events to relevant national and local health departments.

Our law firm is investigating the potential for litigation over the injuries and damages patients reported.

If you or a loved one used EzriCare Artificial Tears and/or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears and subsequently developed eye infections, vision loss, or other serious health problems, you may be eligible to file an EzriCare Lawsuit.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

You can also use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify to file an EzriCare Recall Lawsuit instantly.

Our law firm is committed to representing people harmed at no fault of their own, and we are prepared to help you throughout the legal process.

Reach out to our EzriCare Lawyers for more information and to find out if you qualify for the EzriCare Recall Lawsuit.