The CDC has issued a recall on several brands of eye drops after 68 cases of blindness and three deaths. Many of the blind had to undergo surgery to remove the eye to prevent the spread of infection.

Several different brands were recalled, the major brand being Ezri Artificial Tears. The FDA told customers that they should stop purchasing the products as of February 2nd. Other recalled brands include Delsams Artificial Tears, which was also recalled on February 2nd. Apotex Corps Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution was recalled on March 1st. All of these were found to be carrying Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a bacteria that is commonly found in dirt and water. This particular bacteria can cause pneumonia (a buildup of pus in the lungs). These bacteria types are constantly evolving to work around antibiotics. The most common symptoms that the eyedrops have caused are sensitivity to light, redness and swelling on the eyelid, bacterial discharge, and itchiness or irritation of the eye.

The problem was first discovered when a patient in Los Angeles started to have symptoms of an eye infection; the doctors later reported that the cause of the infection was from the eye drops that the individual took. Several similar cases across the country have been reported since. The reported deaths from the eyedrops were caused by much more serious symptoms, all related to infections of the blood.

“Only users of the specific brands being recalled should be concerned about the recent recall event,” Christopher Starr, a New York ophthalmologist, stated. He also stated that people should double check their eyedrops before using them to ensure they are not the recalled products. There are no related cases of other brands of eyedrops causing harm to their users.