(Republicaninformer.com)- Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a kind of bacteria that is resistant to the majority of medicines, has been found in at least 50 patients in 11 states.
The CDC says a brand of over-the-counter eye drops may have contributed to the bacterial infection that resulted in one death. In the documented instances, 11 patients had eye infections, including at least three who lost the use of one eye.
Underlying eye diseases like glaucoma or cataracts that would have rendered victims more vulnerable are still unknown.
According to a Jan. 20 statement from the organization, the majority of those impacted admitted to using preservative-free EzriCare Artificial Tears before contracting the infection, and the agency stated it is conducting an investigation. The label on the eye drops says they are preservative-free, which means they don’t include any ingredients that may stop microorganisms from growing.
California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington are the states where cases have been reported so far.
The one person who died resulted from the pathogen entering their bloodstream, while others suffered from lung or urinary tract infections.
Pain, swelling, discharge, redness, hazy vision, sensitivity to light, and the sensation that something is lodged in the eye are all signs of an eye infection.
Possibly, the drops were infected either during production or by someone opening the bottle, which had the germs on their skin.
The CDC is testing whether the bacterium detected in the eye drop bottles is the same strain as that found in patients.
As of Tuesday night, EzriCare Artificial Tears had not been recalled.
According to the CDC, clinicians and patients are advised to avoid using the product until the investigation and laboratory analysis are finished.
