Three dead, 8 blind & 4 have eyeballs removed after using contaminated eyedrops

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The incidents have all been linked back to artificial tears found to be contaminated with a rare and extremely drug resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.

The eye drops were bought in pharmacies across the US - they are not sold in the UK.

People with dry eyes often use artificial tears, as do those who wear contact lenses.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa - which is associated with multiple kinds of infections - has never been reported in the US prior to this outbreak, but has surfaced in sixteen states since January this year.

Read more on eye infections

As of March 14, 68 people were infected with the rare bacterium, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported.

And so far, three people have died, eight have lost their vision in one or both their eyes and four have had their eyeballs surgically removed.

Most of these patients reported using artificial tears.

Up to 10 brands were mentioned but EzriCare Artificial Tears, a preservative-free over-the-counter product, was the one most commonly reported.

Manufacturer Global Pharma Healthcare pulled the eye drops from shelves in February, soon after the outbreak was first reported.

The CDC advised people to stop using EzriCare eyes drops, as well as Delsam Pharma's Artificial Tears - these are manufactured by the same India-based pharmaceutical company.

It identified the 16 states where patients are infected as California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Nevada, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Washington, and Wisconsin. 

The health watchdog is continuing to investigate the multistate outbreaks, it said.

And it urged patients who have noticed symptoms of an eye infection after using EzriCare or Delsam Pharma's artificial tears to get medical care 'immediately.'

According to the CDC eye infection symptoms may include:

• Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Redness of the eye or eyelid
• Feeling of something in your eye (foreign body sensation)
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Blurry vision

Pseudomonas is a type of bacteria that lives in the environment and is commonly found in soil and water.

Its ultra resistant strain identified in the artificial tears is often the culprit behind blood and lung infections. People can also be infected by it after surgery.

It can spread in healthcare settings if people are then are exposed to water or soil with Pseudomonas aeruginosa germs, the CDC said.

Resistant strains of the germ can also spread in healthcare settings from one person to another through contaminated hands, equipment, or surfaces.

Patients in hospitals tend to be most at risk, according to the CDC, especially those:

• on breathing machines (ventilators)
• with devices such as catheters
• with wounds from surgery or burns

But infection can be avoided if patients and caregivers wash their hands with soap and water frequently, and patients rooms are cleaned daily.

People who use reusable contact lenses are four times as likely as those wearing daily disposables to develop a sight-threatening eye infection.

How to prevent an eye infection

The NHS recommends you:

• wash your hands regularly with warm soapy water
• wash your pillow cases and face cloths in hot water and detergent
• cover your mouth and nose when sneezing and put used tissues in the bin

Do not:

• do not share towels and pillows
• do not rub your eyes

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