Maryland Injury Law Center
The CDC recently announced that EzriCare Artificial Tears lubricating eye drops have caused a wave of very serious bacterial infections across the country. Infections from the contaminated eye drops have caused very serious injuries including vision loss and at least one death. Our product liability attorneys are currently investigating potential eye drop infection lawsuits from individuals who used EzriCare eye drops and developed a bacterial infection that caused serious physical injuries.
The FDA is working with the CDC, and state and local health departments to investigate a rare, drug-resistant type of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa that has caused infections in 55 people across 12 states as of January 31, 2023. The infections are linked to the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears, which has led to hospitalizations, one death from a bloodstream infection, and permanent vision loss from eye infections. The CDC has recommended that people stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears until further guidance is provided by the CDC and FDA.
Anyone who was harmed by bacteria in the EzriCare artificial tear drops could be entitled to substantial financial compensation in a civil lawsuit.
About EzriCare Eye Drops
EzriCare is a relatively small personal healthcare product company headquartered in Lakewood, New Jersey. EzriCare sells a line of personal care products under its brand, although the products appear to be manufactured by other companies. EzriCare’s leading personal care product is Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops. These eye drops are sold by major retailers across the country, most notably Walmart.
The EzriCare Artificial Tears are sold in small, multiple-dose bottles. The drops are made from water-based saline solutions with carboxymethylcellulose sodium as an active ingredient. Carboxymethylcellulose sodium is often used in eye drop products because it effectively moistens and soothes dry eyes much like natural tears.
EzriCare is essentially just a product brand, not a manufacturer. The Artificial Tears drops sold under the EzriCare brand were formulated and designed by a company called Aru Pharma Inc. The drops themselves are manufactured in India by Global Pharma Healthcare PVT LTD.
EzriCare Eye Drops Linked to Serious Bacterial Infections
In January 2023, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) announced that it had been investigating concerning series of over 50 related bacterial infections from 12 different states. All of the infections involved the same bacteria and investigators quickly narrowed down eye drops as the likely source. The incidents of infection caused by the drops included infections of the cornea, intraocular fluids, respiratory tract, urinary tract infections and even sepsis.
The CDC investigation eventually identified EzriCare Artificial Tears as the one eye drop product that was used prior to nearly all of the reported infections. After making that initial determination, the CDC investigation team performed laboratory testing on already opened bottles of EzriCare drops from various production lots. The testing revealed that the eye crops contained a particularly dangerous type of bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa Is a Tough Bacteria
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria that can cause serious infections in individuals with weakened immune systems, such as those who are hospitalized or have underlying health conditions. This bacterium is known for its resistance to many antibiotics. This makes it tough to destroy once an infection has taken hold.
One of the reasons P. aeruginosa, as it is also called, is so dangerous is its ability to produce a variety of virulence factors, such as exotoxins and enzymes which can damage host cells and tissues. This bacterium can also form biofilms, which act as coats of armor to bacteria, giving it the ability to resist antibiotics and the host’s immune system.
P. aeruginosa is often associated with hospital-acquired infection. It can easily spread in healthcare environments, including nursing homes. The bacteria infects people who are already sick or have compromised immune systems. This bacterium can cause a range of infections, including pneumonia, urinary tract infections, and skin and wound infections.
In individuals with cystic fibrosis, P. aeruginosa presents grave risks. It can cause persistent lung infections that can lead to significant lung damage and a decline in lung function. This bacterium is also a concern in burn patients. It quickly infects burn wounds and can cause sepsis.
Serious Injuries Resulting from Contaminated Eye Drops
The bacterial infections caused by contaminated EzriCare eye drops have caused some very serious injuries and at least 1 death. These injuries are largely due to the fact that the bacteria in the eye drops are highly resistant to most forms of antibiotics making it very difficult to treat.
Infections in the cornea and intraocular fluids (inner eye) are most commonly associated with the use of the contaminated eye drops. These infections have resulted in permanent damage to the cornea or eye tissue causing permanently impaired vision. Other cases involving the EzriCare eye drops have resulted in infections of the urinary tract and respiratory tract. There was at least one case where the infection caused by the eye drops progressed to sepsis (an infection of the bloodstream) which caused death.
How Did the EzriCare Eye Drops Get Contaminated?
The exact source of the contamination of the EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops has not yet been identified. CDC lab testing was performed on EzriCare eye drop bottles confirmed that the drops were contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria. The bacteria strain found in the EzriCare bottles has been genetically linked to the bacteria strain detected in victims of the outbreak. This evidence conclusively established the EzriCare eye drops as the source of the infections.
EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops, are preservative-free, but it is very unlikely that the contamination occurred after the eye drops were sold simply because of the large number of cases. The bacteria contamination probably happened at some point during the manufacturing due to conditions in the facility where the drops are made and/or packaged.
Global Pharma, which is based in Tamilnadu, India, is the company that manufacturers to the eye drops for sale by EzriCare. Global Pharma manufactures several other popular brands of over-the-counter healthcare products from its manufacturing facility in Southeastern India.
EzriCare Eye Drops Infection Lawsuits
Although the investigation into the source of the bacteria contamination in the EzriCare eye drops is still underway, EzriCare will still have full civil liability for harm caused by the contaminated eye drops. Product manufacturers and retailers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe and are subject to strict liability for injuries caused by manufacturing defects in their products. This means that EzriCare can be held liable even if it turns out that they were not negligent.
EzriCare will clearly have direct liability for all injuries that can be linked back to infections caused by contaminated EzriCare eye drops. Retailers who sold the contaminated eye drops will also have potential liability for injuries caused by the drops. Walmart, Amazon, and other big retailers sold the EzriCare Artificial Tears drops. This means that Walmart and Amazon may be named as a defendants in some eye drop infection lawsuits.
Who is Eligible to File an Eye Drops Infection Lawsuit
Anyone who meets the following criteria may be eligible to file a product liability lawsuit and get compensation for injuries caused by contaminated eye drops:
- You purchased the EzriCare Artificial Tears brand eye drops and you either still have the eye drops bottle or you have proof of your purchase,
- After using the EzriCare eye drops you were diagnosed with a bacterial infection or started experiencing impaired vision.
Contact Us About an Eye Drops Infection Lawsuit
Our firm is currently accepting cases from anyone who suffered serious injuries as a result of an infection caused by EzriCare eye drops. Contact us today at 800-553-8082 for a free case evaluation to see if you qualify for an eye drops infection lawsuit.