The number of cases linked to a recently-recalled brand of eye drops made by an Indian healthcare firm has expanded, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said this week.
The CDC issued a health alert to doctors nationwide early last month that a rare, drug-resistant bacteria linked to the artificial tears had sickened at least 55 people in 12 states.
As of Tuesday, that number had jumped to 68 patients in 16 states, including New Jersey, according to the CDC.
Three people have died and there have been eight reports of vision loss and four reports of enucleation, which is the surgical removal of eyeball, the agency said.
Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited produces the recalled eye drops sold under brand names EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. The two brands are subject to the recall, according to a notice from the company.
