A particular Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain has now been detected in an outbreak in 16 states in America, the CDC reports. The drug-resistant bacteria (immune to the effects of at least 12 different antibiotics in laboratory testing) wich affects vision and can even produce fatal infections was linked to Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, which is manufactured by Indian company Global Pharma Healthcare and distributed in the US by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. The product was subject to recall in February. Two more eye drops ranges from Pharmedica USA and Apotex have also been temporarily withdrawn.
Several infected patients permanently lost their vision and four have had to have eyeballs removed. Some people have died. Symptoms of infection are yellow, green or clear discharge from the eye, pain, discomfort or redness around the eye and increased sensitivity to light or blurry vision. The CDC has warned anyone with symptoms of an eye infection who used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma eye drops to seek medical care immediately. Pseudomonas are a type of bacteria found in the environment. In the past it has caused about 32,600 infections among U.S. hospitalized patients and an estimated 2,700 deaths, according to the CDC.
