Eye Drop Recall Concerns Local Opthalmologists

Eye drop recalls concerning local ophthalmologists about the quality of products being produced for patients.

Middle Tennessee Eye Dr. Alisa Hudson said thankfully the FDA protects patients by having a wide range of protocols and requirements for products. She said the two brands of eye drops recalled, Ezricare and Delsam Pharma, were produced in India and had been contaminated by bacteria called pseudomona.

“When it’s applied to the eye and there’s access to the eye that you can get an infection then the pseudomona’s gotten in there,” Hudson said. “But the problem is there are starting to become resistant strains and that’s where we’re running into issues. We can’t treat the bug that is being introduced by these drops.”

Hudson said there have not been infection cases in Tennessee thus far. She said many suppliers have pulled the products from their shelves until the products have stabilized.

Hudson said there are hundreds of different artificial tears for dry eyes and is one of the most common things she treats. She said those who utilize artificial tears know how key they are for treatment.

“There are several different types, there are several different consistencies,” Hudson said. “So dry eye drops are absolutely a necessity. Most people won’t use drops unless they’re looking for symptomatic relief. Eye drops are very important, it just depends on where you get them from.”