Eye Drop Usage Leads To Serious Infections
A drug-resistant bacteria: it sounds almost like something out of a science fiction movie. Unfortunately, it’s all too real, as some of the people who used artificial tears recently know all too well. That’s because some bottles of the product were contaminated with drug-resistant bacteria, so when infections ensued, treatment options were all but non-existent.
Details
The drops in question were all made by Global Pharma, who immediately agreed to the recall and who are cooperating with federal authorities investigating the issue. The source of the bacterial contamination is unclear, but the infections have spread through at least a dozen states, Florida included. Of the 55 known cases of infection, 35 were connected to use in health care facilities. The problem, it seems, lies in the multidose medicine bottles. People reuse the bottles as you would expect, being that the drops are to be administered four times daily for multiple days. But since these particular products have no preservatives, bacterial growth is a possibility. They are recommended by doctors specifically for patients who might be sensitive to the preservatives, thereby avoiding the potential for the eyedrops’ preservatives to aggravate the irritated eye.
Symptoms of Infection
According to the CDC there are certain symptoms for which people should be on alert if they’ve used the drops:
- Eye discharge of green, clear, or yellow substance;
- Redness in the eyelid or eye itself;
- Light sensitivity;
- Pain or discomfort in the eye.
Without immediate medical interventions, the consequences can be serious: so far five individuals have lost their vision, and one person has died.
Drug Resistant Infections are Dangerous
Across the globe, drug resistant infections endanger us as they evolve into monsters that modern medicine has no reply to. In just 2020, about 30,000 Americans lost their lives due to drug-resistance issues. Across the globe, the number has been closer to 700,000 deaths annually.
Avoiding Eye Infections
Doctors have suggestions that can help patients to avoid infections when using eye drops:
- Wash your hands prior to use;
- Avoid touching the tip of the bottle;
- Securely close the bottle after each use.
Product Liability
Have you or a loved one experienced serious harm or death as a result of a product malfunction, bacterial infection, or other shortcoming? If so, it’s possible that the manufacturer or others involved in the product’s development could be held liable for injuries. To discuss your situation with experienced and knowledgeable Kissimmee personal injury attorneys at Salazar & Kelly Law Group, schedule a confidential consultation today.
Source:
nytimes.com/2023/02/02/business/eye-drops-ezricare-infections-cdc.html
