This message is to notify long-term care (LTC) setting providers of important Health Alert information from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
WHAT: Artificial tears are eye drops used for dry eyes. Antibiotic resistant organisms have been found in artificial tears products. The most common brand found to have the organism is EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative‐free product that comes in multidose bottles. Infections have been caused by a kind of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria commonly found in water and soil and can infect the eyes, lungs, and blood.
WHEN: State and local health departments investigations from May 2022 to January 2023 found that infections could be related to Artificial Tears products.
WHERE: Infection Cases have been found in 12 states, including Washington State. Other states where cases were found: CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, NM, NY, NV, TX, UT and WI.
ACTION REQUESTED:
- CDC recommends that medical providers, residents, and clients immediately stop the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears until further notice.
- If EzriCare Artificial Tears were used:
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of infection
- Seek medical care if any of these symptoms appear from or around the eye or eye lid: discharge, pain, discomfort, redness, feeling of something in the eye, increased sensitivity to light, or blurry vision
- Ask the healthcare provider for an alternate artificial tears product
- No other action related to different brands of artificial tears products is required at this time.
REFERENCES:
Department of Health: Eye care product linked to antibiotic-resistant infections
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Health Alert: Outbreak of Extensively Drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Associated with Artificial Tears
