In response
to the recent recalls involving eyedrops, Dr. Daniel Laroche, a top New
York City eye specialist, recommends the following tips to help prevent
eye infections from eyedrops use:
Try to
ensure the eyedrops are made by U.S. manufacturers. Here in the U.S., it is
easier to ensure compliance with FDA manufacturing guidelines.
- Wash your
hands before and after using eyedrops.
- Do not
touch the dropper to your eye to avoid contaminating the tip.
- Close the
eyedrop bottle tightly after each use.
- Do not
use the same eyedrops for multiple people.
- Use the
eyedrops within one month of opening.
- Store
eyedrops away from heat, light and moisture.
Dr.
LaRoche’s comments come after the FDA warned consumers and eyecare
professionals not to purchase and to immediately stop using EzriCare Artificial
Tears or Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears, citing violations in manufacturing
practices, including lack of appropriate microbial testing, formulation concerns
and lack of proper controls related to tamper-evident packaging.
EzriCare
Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears are manufactured by
Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited and are available over the counter.
The FDA also
warned consumers and health care professionals not to purchase or use Delsam
Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment due to potential bacterial contamination.
READ MORE: Busting eye health myths
Global
Pharma initiated a voluntary recall at the consumer level of all unexpired lots
of EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears. The FDA also
recommended a recall of Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment, and the
company agreed to initiate a recall.
The FDA, the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and state and local health
departments are collaborating in an investigation into a multistate outbreak of
a rare, drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria.
As of January
31, 2023, the CDC had identified 55 patients in 12 states with infections that
have been linked by epidemiologic and laboratory evidence to use of EzriCare
Artificial Tears. Adverse events included hospitalization, one death with a
bloodstream infection and permanent vision loss from eye infections. As of
March 27, the CDC had reported two additional deaths linked to the bacterial
infection.
Anyone with
symptoms of an eye infection should talk to their health care provider or seek
medical attention immediately.
Dr. Laroche
also reminds everyone that more than 3 million people in the United States have
glaucoma — a leading cause of irreversible blindness. The National Eye
Institute projects this number will reach 4.2 million by 2030, a 58% increase.
Glaucoma is called “the sneak thief of sight” since there are no symptoms, and
once vision is lost, it’s permanent. As much as 40% of vision can be lost
without a person noticing. Moreover, among African American and Latino
populations, glaucoma is more prevalent. Glaucoma is 6 to 8 times more common
in African Americans than Caucasians.
Dr. Laroche
states that, “Early cataract surgery and microinvasive glaucoma surgery is the
key to prevent blindness in most patients with glaucoma over the age of 50. The
enlarging lens is the most identifiable cause of glaucoma. Now that cataract
surgery today is much safer than 25 years ago, this technology combined with
microinvasive glaucoma surgery is a new standard of care and great news for
patients with glaucoma.”
Dr. Laroche
recommends people have one eye at a time done to ensure they are happy with the
results. “In patients with angle closure glaucoma, clear lens extraction can be
performed and is more effective than laser iridotomy.”
Dr. Laroche
is a glaucoma specialist who takes patient education seriously. He wants people
to be aware that glaucoma, cataracts, macular degeneration and retinopathy can
begin to surface between the ages of 40 and 70, and that any vision changes
should be evaluated by an eye doctor immediately.
“Over time,
these diseases can lead to blindness, so it’s best to address them as soon as
possible,” said Dr. Laroche. “We have new treatments with earlier surgical
options that can help preserve (or restore) their vision with faster recovery
times.”
A healthy
diet with lots of salads, vegetables, drinking water, exercise and meditation
can help reduce cataracts, diabetes and glaucoma, he said.
“Eyesight or
human vision is one of the most important senses,” Dr. LaRoche added. “By
protecting the eyes, people will reduce the chance of blindness and vision loss
while also staying on top of any developing eye diseases, such as glaucoma and
cataracts.”
Dr. Laroche
is an exceptional board certified, Ivy League trained, glaucoma specialist in
New York and a Clinical Associate Professor of Ophthalmology. He studied and
received his bachelor's degree from New York University and a medical doctorate
with honors in research from Weil Cornell University Medical College. He
underwent a medical internship at Montefiore Hospital and finished his
ophthalmology residency at Howard University Hospital in Washington, D.C.,
where he was the chief resident in his third year. He later completed his
glaucoma fellowship at New York Eye and Ear Infirmary. He is affiliated with
Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York University and is president of Advanced
Eyecare of New York.
For more
information about Dr. Laroche, please call (212) 663-0473, Manhattan office;
(718) 217-0424, Queens Office; or visit: www.advancedeyecareny.com.
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