Florida grandmother sued eye drops company after right eye was surgically removed leaving her blind
a florida My grandmother is suing the makers of EzriCare artificial tears. She claims that the recalled product caused a bacterial infection in her eye that had to be surgically removed.
Currently legally registered as blind, 68-year-old Clara Oliva is one of eight patients who have lost their sight as a result of using eye drops.
Four infected people lost their sight and needed surgery to remove their eyes. One person died from the infection.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has since issued a cautionary tale of being a rare bacterial infection, despite 68 cases diagnosed in 16 US states.
Oliva had his right eye removed in September and replaced with a plastic implant.
Warning: graphic content
Now legally registered as blind, 68-year-old Clara Oliva is one of eight patients who have lost their sight as a result of using eye drops she believed caused an eye infection. .
South Florida grandmother adjusting to life after losing her right eye to a bacterial infection
CDC linked 68 cases of bacterial infections in 16 states to EzriCare artificial tears (pictured).Multiple patients blinded and at least one died
According to Oliva’s attorney, Natasha Cortes, she was using EzriCare artificial tears before she developed the infection.
“My client was seriously injured and is now legally blind. I am currently investigating others who have been similarly injured by this recalled product,” Cortez said.
According to the lawsuit, Oliva started using Ezrikea’s artificial tears in May last year.
A few months later, her right eye became “red, swollen and unusually watery.” She then developed a bacterial infection that caused corneal ulcers and decreased her vision.
“Given the severity of Mrs. Oliva’s infection, the depletion of treatment options, and the risk of systemic spread of an infection that creates a life-threatening condition, the decision was made to remove Mrs. Oliva’s right eye.” was the best option for controlling severe antibiotic-resistant infections,” the lawsuit declares.
In May 2022, she started using over-the-counter EzriCare Artificial Tears to relieve dry eyes from contact lenses.Aggressive infections quickly took hold
Oliva immediately sought treatment from her doctor, but to no avail.All the while she continued to use her eye drops without knowing her concerns
Florida’s grandmother is now suing the makers of EzriCare artificial tears, a recalled product she used frequently before the infection.
On September 1, 2022, Mrs. Oliva’s right eye was surgically removed and replaced with a plastic implant. Mrs. Oliva is now legally blind as the vision in her remaining left eye has dropped to her 20/200.
“These companies must be held accountable for the devastating consequences their products have had on her, Oliva and other consumers.
Her lawyers argue that the product’s preservative-free nature makes it more vulnerable to bacterial contamination, which can lead to infections like the one experienced by Oliva.
‘I’ve always been independent,’ said Oliva WPLG“I’ve been working all my life. My life has changed 1000%.”
Cortez also revealed that it is investigating other individuals who may have been similarly injured by the recalled product.
‘that [the product] It does not contain the preservatives used to fight bacterial contamination,” Cortez said. NBC Miami“There could be many more people who have the infection but are unaware of it. Oliva did.”
Oliva said she spent a month battling the infection with various treatments, antibiotics, and even surgery.
“My client was seriously injured and is now legally blind. I am currently investigating others who have been similarly injured by this recalled product,” attorney Natasha Cortez explained. Did.
A spokesperson for EzriCare Artificial Tears said tests have not clearly shown a link between the outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and their products.
In January, the CDC banned the use of EzriCare artificial tears and Delsam Pharma artificial tears and ointment after an opened bottle taken from a patient was found to contain potentially deadly bacteria. I warned the public to stop.
Cases of bacterial infection have been reported in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
The patient reported to the CDC that he had used eye drops before he became ill.
Patients suffered ailments such as blindness, respiratory infections, and urinary tract infections.
A person contracted a blood infection that eventually died. It is not known whether the patient had an underlying medical condition that puts them at increased risk.
Following the outbreak, Global Pharma Healthcare, the manufacturer of both products, announced a voluntary recall.
The drops were previously sold at Walmart and Amazon, but the product has since been removed.
Nonetheless, a spokesperson for EzriCare Artificial Tears said the tests did not explicitly link their product to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infections in the blood and lungs, the CDC reports.
Like many other superbugs, this one is most common in hospitals. In hospitals, bacteria find a way to survive in highly sterile environments.
A company representative said, “We are reaching out to advise customers not to continue using the product whenever possible.” I have indicated that I am willing to cooperate with any requests I make to
The outbreak of infection raised concerns about the safety of preservative-free eye drops, leading to recalls of affected products.
The CDC urged people to stop using it to prevent the spread of rare bacterial strains, but now families are demanding accountability and justice from the product makers.
