A rare drug-resistant bacteria called Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which has been found in some recently recalled eyedrops, is continuing to lead to injuries.
Three people have died and eight people have reported vision loss, in addition to four reports of surgical removal of an eyeball, according to a Tuesday report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
See also: Which eye drops have been recalled in 2023? Here’s a running list.
The eyedrops named in the CDC report are artificial tears from EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. The CDC says the eyedrops have caused infections in at least 68 patients in 16 states.
“Patients and healthcare providers should immediately stop the use of EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears pending additional information and guidance from CDC and FDA,” the report says.
EzriCare and Delsam distribute eye drops from Global Pharma Healthcare, a company that issued a recall of its artificial tears in February after the product was linked to an outbreak of the drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, including some detected in patients’ blood, urine and lungs.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is particularly difficult to treat because it does not respond to antibiotic treatment, the CDC says.
Images of the recalled eye drops can be found below.
FDA 
Ezricare artificial tears are being recalled over bacteria contamination concerns.
FDA 
Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears are being recalled over bacteria contamination concerns.
Consumers with questions about the recall can contact the distributors by phone at 1-866-826-1306 or 1-516-715-518 or by email at delsampharma@yahoo.com or arupharmainc@yahoo.com, or they can contact the CDC.
The report from the CDC comes after the recalls of several eye products from other companies in recent months. Those were unrelated to this bacterial contamination.
Pharmedica USA LLC recently announced the voluntary recall of Purely Soothing drops, and Florida’s Apotex Corp. recalled select lots of its Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%, according to the retail notices.
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