The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recommended immediate discontinuation of the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears, an OTC drop for dry eye, after linking various infections with the drops. 

The CDC issued a statement stating that it is "investigating a multistate cluster of Verona Integron‐mediated Metallo‐β‐lactamase (VIM)‐ and Guiana‐Extended Spectrum‐β‐Lactamase (GES)‐ producing carbapenem‐resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM‐GES‐CRPA) associated with multiple different infection types, including eye infections."

Recent epidemiology and laboratory evidence link these infections to use of EzriCare Artificial Tears (carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 10 mg), according to the CDC.

From May 17, 2022, to January 19, 2023, CDC, in partnership with state and local health departments, identified 56 isolates from 50 case patients from 11 states (CA, CO, CT, FL, NJ, NM, NY, NV, TX, UT, WA) with VIM‐GES‐CRPA; 38 cases are part of 4 facility clusters. 

Isolates were identified from clinical cultures of cornea (10), sputum or bronchial wash (11), urine (6), other nonsterile sources (4), and blood (2), and from rectal swabs (23) collected for surveillance. These specimens were collected in both outpatient and inpatient healthcare settings. Patient outcomes include permanent vision loss resulting from ocular infection, hospitalization, and death of one patient with bloodstream infection, according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends that clinicians and patients immediately discontinue the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears until the epidemiological investigation and laboratory analyses are complete.  

Lakewood, New Jersey-based EzriCare is a generic OTC drug company.