Florida grandmother sues eye drop company after her right eye had to be surgically removed now blind
A Florida grandmother is suing the makers of EzriCare Artificial Tears, a recalled product that she says caused a bacterial infection in her eye, requiring surgical removal.
Clara Oliva, 68, who is now registered as legally blind, is one of eight patients who have lost their vision as a result of using the eye drops.
Four of those people who became infected ended up requiring surgery to remove their eyes after losing their vision. One person also died as a result of the infection.
Since then, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a warning noting what the rare bacterial infection looks like, though there have been diagnoses in 68 patients in 16 US states.
Oliva had her right eye removed in September and replaced with a plastic implant.
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Clara Oliva, 68, who is now registered as legally blind, is one of eight patients who have lost their vision as a result of using the eye drops she believed caused an eye infection.
South Florida grandmother is adjusting to life after a bacterial infection took out her right eye
The CDC has linked 68 cases of bacterial infection in 16 states to EzriCare Artificial Tears (pictured). Multiple patients have gone blind and at least one person has died.
According to Oliva’s attorney, Natasha Cortes, she was using EzriCare Artificial Tears before developing the infection.
‘My client is terribly injured and is now legally blind. I am currently investigating others similarly injured by this recalled product,” Cortés stated.
According to the lawsuit, Oliva began using EzriCare Artificial Tears in May of last year.
Months later, his right eye became “red, swollen, and abnormally watery.” He then developed a bacterial infection that caused an ulcer on his cornea and impaired vision for him.
“Given the severity of the infection in Ms. Oliva’s right eye, the exhaustion of treatment methods, and the risk of the infection spreading systematically creating a life-threatening condition, it was determined that an enucleation of Ms. Oliva’s right eye Ms. Oliva was the best.” option to control serious antibiotic-resistant infection,’ the lawsuit states.
In May 2022, she began using EzriCare artificial tears, an over-the-counter product, to relieve dry eyes caused by contact lenses. An aggressive infection soon took hold
Oliva sought treatment from her doctor almost immediately, but nothing worked. All the while she continued to use the drops, unaware that there were concerns.
The Florida grandmother is now suing the makers of EzriCare Artificial Tears, a recalled product she used frequently before her infection.
‘On September 1, 2022, Mrs. Oliva’s right eye was surgically removed and replaced with a plastic implant. Given her reduced visual acuity to 20/200 in her remaining left eye, Ms. Oliva is now legally blind.’
“These companies must be held accountable for the devastating consequences their product has caused Ms. Oliva and other consumers.”
His lawyer claims that the preservative-free nature of the product makes it more vulnerable to bacterial contamination, which can lead to infections like the one Oliva experienced.
“I have always been independent,” Oliva told WPLG. I have always worked. My life has changed 1000%.’
Cortés also revealed that he is also investigating other people who may have been similarly injured by the recalled product.
‘He [the product] does not contain preservatives, which are used to combat bacterial contamination,’ said Cortés nbc miami. “There are probably many more people who have had infections who don’t know it, like Ms Oliva.”
Oliva said he spent a month trying to fight the infection with different treatments, antibiotics and even surgery. Doctors ultimately had no choice but to remove the entire eye.
‘My client is terribly injured and is now legally blind. I am currently investigating other people similarly injured by this recalled product,” explained attorney Natasha Cortés, in the photo.
A spokesperson for EzriCare Artificial Tears said that tests have not definitively linked the outbreak of Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection to their products.
In January, the CDC warned the public to stop using Delsam Pharma’s EzriCare Artificial Tears and Artificial Tears and Ointment after opened vials removed from patients were found to contain potentially deadly bacteria.
Cases of bacterial infection have been reported in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Texas, Utah, and Washington.
The patients reported to the CDC that they had used the eye drops before becoming ill.
The patients suffered from blindness, respiratory infections, and urinary tract infections, among other illnesses.
A blood infection suffered by a person led to his eventual death. It is not clear if the patient suffered from an underlying condition that put him at higher risk.
Following the outbreak of the infections, Global Pharma Healthcare, the maker of both products, issued a voluntary recall.
The drops were previously sold at Walmart and on Amazon, though the products have since been recalled.
Despite this, a spokesperson for EzriCare Artificial Tears stated that tests have not definitively linked the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak to their products.
Pseudomonas aeruginosa causes infections in the blood and lungs, reports the CDC.
Like many other superbugs, it’s most common in hospitals, where bacteria find a way to survive in hyper-sterile environments.
“To the extent possible, we have contacted customers to advise against continued use of the product,” a company representative said. “We also immediately contacted the CDC and FDA and indicated our willingness to cooperate with any requests they have from us.”
The outbreak of infections has raised concerns about the safety of preservative-free eye drops and has led to recalls of affected products.
The CDC has urged people to stop using them to prevent the spread of the rare strain of bacteria, but now families are calling for accountability and fairness from product manufacturers.