3 Go Blind In NJ, CA After Drug-Resistant Bacteria Outbreak Linked To Eye Drops: CDC

NEW JERSEY — Federal health officials are warning healthcare providers about an outbreak of drug-resistant infections in New Jersey and several other states linked to over-the-counter eye drops.

According to an alert posted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the outbreak includes 55 people in New Jersey and 11 other states. One person has died.

At least three others in California and New Jersey suffered permanent vision loss, according to The Associated Press.

Officials said infections were detected between May 2022 and January 2023. The infections were all caused by a bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which was found in patients' eyes, blood, urine and lungs.

Federal health officials linked the infections to EzriCare Artificial Tears, an eye drop used to treat irritation and dryness, after the same bacteria was found in open bottles. Most patients reported using the eye drops, officials said.

Infections were discovered in patients in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wisconsin. One patient in Washington died after contracting a blood infection.

Officials said the strain of bacteria is "extensively drug-resistant" to most antibiotics; however, a drug called cefiderocol did work in treating some infections.

Officials said patients and health care providers should stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears products pending further guidance from the CDC.

Patients who have used EzriCare and who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection should seek immediate medical care. Eye infection symptoms may include:

• Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Redness of the eye or eyelid
• A feeling of something in your eye
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision

EzriCare told The Associated Press it is not aware of any evidence definitively linking the outbreak to the product, but that it has stopped distributing the eye drops.

"To the greatest extent possible, we have been contacting customers to advise them against continued use of the product," the company said in a statement provided to the AP. "We also immediately reached out to both CDC and FDA and indicated our willingness to cooperate with any requests they may have of us."

— With reporting by Megan VerHelst