EzriCare Artificial Tears Recall, Infections and Legal Claims
EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears were contaminated with a bacteria that caused serious eye infections and left users with permanent vision problems. The products were recalled, and affected victims have filed lawsuits.
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- Last update: November 12, 2025
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EzriCare and Delsam Pharma distributed lubricating eyedrops manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare. These eye drops were used to relieve dry eye, protect against eye irritation and alleviate eye discomfort.
In 2023, Global Pharma recalled EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears due to a serious health risk. Now, affected individuals and their families are filing lawsuits to hold the manufacturer liable for their injuries.
Why Did Global Pharma Recall EzriCare Artificial Tears?
Global Pharma issued a voluntary recall of artificial tears distributed by EzriCare and Delsam Pharma in February 2023. The manufacturer also recalled Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma Artificial Eye Ointment because of the risk of infection.
In its recall notice, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned consumers that using “contaminated artificial tears can result in the risk of eye infections that could result in blindness.”
The recall occurred after an investigation of serious bacterial infections associated with the use of EzriCare Artificial Tears. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the FDA reported that the eyedrops were potentially contaminated with a drug-resistant bacterial strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (VIM-GES-CRPA).
Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a type of bacteria that commonly occurs in the environment, typically in soil or water. It can cause blood, lung, skin or other infections.
At the time of the recall, the FDA had received 55 reports of adverse events. These included vision loss and eye infections. Many affected users reported serious side effects and permanent injuries. One person also died from a bloodstream infection.
The CDC released an update in May 2023, identifying 81 affected patients across 18 states.
How Did the Contamination Occur?
An FDA investigation revealed that unsanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility may have contributed to the contamination.
- A greasy, black-and-brown deposit on a bowl
- Drug packaging touching surfaces that weren’t clean or sanitary
- Improper cleaning procedures in the sterile manufacturing area
The FDA had previously placed Global Pharma under an import alert after failing to respond adequately to a records request and not complying with current good manufacturing practice violations.
- Formulation issues, including not manufacturing ophthalmic drugs in multi-use bottles and not using preservatives
- Improper controls for tamper-evident packaging
- Lack of sufficient microbial testing
Injuries That Led to the Recall
The recall was necessary because the bacterial infections caused affected users to suffer serious and sometimes permanent damage. In the CDC’s May 2023 recall update, the agency said:
“Adverse outcomes that were associated with clinical (non-surveillance) cultures and reported to public health include 14 patients with vision loss, an additional four patients with enucleation (surgical removal of eyeball) and four deaths within 30 days of VIM-GES-CRPA clinical culture collection.”
Long-term side effects of EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Artificial Tears, including vision loss, drug-resistant infections and even death, are linked to people using contaminated artificial tears. These side effects are serious but rare.
- Corneal Ulcers: Corneal ulcers are open sores on your cornea, typically as a result of an infection. Symptoms include severe eye pain, pus, watering eyes and red or bloodshot eyes.
- Eye Infections: Eye infections can result from bacterial exposure. Symptoms include eye pain or discomfort, redness of your eye and eyelid, the feeling of a foreign body in your eye, increased light sensitivity, blurry vision and yellow, green or clear eye discharge.
- Eye Removal (Enucleation): When doctors could not treat infections, eye removal became necessary for some patients.
- Permanent Vision Loss: Eye infections from the drops caused permanent vision loss to develop in numerous patients.
- Premature Death: The CDC and FDA also reported deaths linked to the infection.
The consequences of the contamination were especially serious because the strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in the eye drops does not respond to most medications. The CDC referred to the bacteria as “rare” and “extensively drug resistant.”
Other Side Effects of EzriCare and Delsam Artificial Tears
As with most artificial tears, other side effects of EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Artificial Tears are mild and temporary. They may include blurry vision or eye irritation.
Some rare but serious short-term side effects include allergic reactions like hives, itching or swelling in the face, tongue or lips. Ongoing redness or irritation, changes in vision or eye pain can also occur. Seek medical attention immediately if you experience any of these side effects.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions or concerns about potential side effects.
Are EzriCare and Delsam Artificial Tears Safe?
The CDC and FDA do not consider EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Artificial Tears safe. Both agencies have warned people to stop using these products immediately.
Before the recall, most patients tolerated EzriCare Artificial Tears well. However, since the products were linked to an outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria, they are no longer considered safe to use.
Other health professionals have also warned people to stop using EzriCare and Delsam Pharma eye drops immediately.
“If you are using any of these specific products, stop,” Gary D. Novack, a professor at UC Davis Health, told UC Davis Health News. “Using contaminated artificial tears increases the risk of eye infections that could result in blindness or serious illness.”
The FDA’s most recent update about the eye drops, issued on August 25, 2023, reminded people not to use the recalled products under any circumstances.
What Should You Do if You Used EzriCare Artificial Tears?
If you used EzriCare Artificial Tears or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, the FDA recommends that you:
- Discontinue use of the eyedrops immediately
- Keep the product packaging in case you want to pursue a legal claim
- Watch for symptoms of infection, including redness, discharge, eye pain or blurred vision
- Report your symptoms to a health care provider and the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program
If you suffered an infection or vision loss after using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears, you may qualify to file a lawsuit. Consider speaking with an attorney to learn about your options.
Are There Lawsuits for EzriCare Artificial Tears Injuries?
Attorneys filed EzriCare and Delsam Pharma artificial tears lawsuits on behalf of patients who used the products and were injured.
- Eye infections
- Serious bacterial infections
- Vision loss
- Other vision issues
As of November 2025, the U.S. Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation has not consolidated these lawsuits into a multidistrict litigation (MDL), and there have been no settlements or jury trials to date.
Drugwatch’s legal partners are not currently accepting cases. However, if you want to pursue a legal claim, you can reach out to an attorney to explore your options.
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