In June 2023, a Drugwatch report stated that people across the globe are filing lawsuits against EzriCare eye drops because they have suffered immensely after using the medication. Some plaintiffs underwent treatment using antibiotics for several months and had to undergo surgery as well, despite which they experienced partial vision damage.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) investigated a multistate outbreak of the bacteria “Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa” (CRPA) that occurred between May 2022 and January 2023. The reports suggested that close to 85% of people who got infected with CRPA had used EzriCare Artificial Tears eye drops.
Based on the lab tests, patients with strains of CRPA are rare, but scientists found the bacteria in opened bottles of EzriCare eye drops. Soon after EzriCare issued a voluntary recall for this product in February 2023, lawsuits were filed by victims. As of May 2023, close to 81 people from 18 states were infected after using the eyedrop. Additionally, the CDC reported that 14 people lost their vision, and 4 people died after using EzriCare Artificial Tears.
Woman Loses Her Eye Due to EzriCare Eye Drop
In March 2023, USA Today shared the story of how Clara Olivia’s vision was affected by using EzriCare Artificial Tears. An operation that took place in September to remove her infected right eye might have saved her life, but the infection she had developed affected her quality of life in several ways.
At 68, Olivia wanted to continue working as a cosmetologist and fulfill her daily grandmother duties. She asked the doctors if they could save her good eye, but a rare bacteria that couldn’t be treated with antibiotics took over. As a result, she is now blind, and her life has changed completely.
No treatment can restore her eyesight. However, Olivia hopes that the lawsuit filed against the eyedrop maker can provide her some relief and raise awareness about the product’s negative side effects to prevent others from experiencing the same. She used EzriCare Artificial Tears, which claimed to be preservative-free, but had side effects.
In her account, Olivia explains that she was suggested to use these eyedrops in May to remedy her dry eyes. By August, after using the drops for months, she noticed her right eye had become red and swollen. Seeking treatment at Leon Medical Center in Florida, the doctors discovered that Olivia had a scratched cornea and prescribed a few antibiotics, but unfortunately, her eye condition worsened.
The EzriCare lawsuit she filed revealed that she was taken to the emergency room of the prestigious Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami. Doctors found out she had an eye ulcer, sourced culture samples for medical evaluation, and increased the frequency and dosage of the prescribed medicine.
Olivia’s case is not an isolated incident. Many patients around the world have used EzriCare eye drops, hoping it would benefit their optical health, only to suffer immensely. Therefore, people with eye problems need to avoid using this product and thoroughly research any eye drops before use, as it can exacerbate existing conditions.
Filing a Legal Complaint for EzriCare Eye Drops
In March 2023, a news report in Bloomberg Law stated that EzriCare LLC and a few other brands are currently facing litigation that alleged bacterial infection resulting in permanent vision loss in users. 3 plaintiffs who claim that they had an eye infection after using this eyedrop had filed a separate lawsuit.
Riley Kerkhoff shared that after using the drop for nearly 45 days, his eyesight might have been harmed permanently. Additionally, Deborah Hartwell, an Ohio resident, shared that she wasn’t able to drive because of the ongoing pain in her left eye, which also made her sensitive to light. If you or anyone you know is in a similar situation, the best way out is a medical intervention followed by filing a legal complaint.
TorHoerman Law suggests that patients must keep all their medical records and receipts of the eyedrops purchased under medical guidance handy before they get in touch with a lawyer. It is necessary to establish that their worsened eye condition is due to the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears.
By filing a legal complaint, patients can expect to get covered for lost wages, medical bills, permanent disability, wrongful death, emotional damages, and pain and suffering.
Conclusion
Eye problems can occur to anyone, which can lead them to use EzriCare eye drops without knowing that it can cause harm to their vision, to the extent of causing permanent damage. Customers must secure their well-being and health.
By remaining informed and cautious, they can make more informed choices about the products they use and demand transparency and accountability from the companies producing them.
It is necessary to learn from Olivia’s incident and others, too, and stay alert before using any eye drops, even if it has been prescribed. And if there is pain and suffering caused because of using EzriCare eye drops unknowingly, it is crucial to seek both medical and legal assistance.
