EzriCare & Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Lawsuits

Plaintiffs have been filing lawsuits against EzriCare and Delsam Pharma, claiming they contracted bacterial infections by using the company’s artificial tears. This bacterium, a rare antibiotic-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, has caused serious issues in patients who contracted the infection after using artificial tears. It has led to vision problems, eye surgery, blindness and even death.

These lawsuits began shortly after the CDC reported that EzriCare artificial tear users nationwide had contracted Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Plaintiffs are seeking refunds for the cost of the products and compensation for injury.

Global Pharma Healthcare is the manufacturer of EzriCare and Delsam Pharma artificial tears.

As of March 2025, EzriCare and Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears hadn’t been consolidated into multidistrict litigation. People filed the first lawsuits shortly after the EzriCare recall in February 2023. So far, no approved settlements or jury trials have been scheduled, and plaintiffs continue to file new lawsuits.

However, lawyers familiar with the claims have told us there are potential settlement talks in these cases. Therefore, litigation could wrap up soon. Most attorneys are no longer accepting these cases.

At one time, lawyers expected a high volume of artificial tears lawsuits. However, legal experts say the litigation could be slowing down. Other defendants named in lawsuits are retailers, including Walmart and Amazon.

People filed EzriCare and Delsam eye drop lawsuits for eye infections they contracted after using EzriCare or Delsam Artificial Tears infected with bacteria. According to complaints, some plaintiffs underwent treatment with antibiotics for months and even had surgery. However, they continued to experience vision damage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention investigated a multi-state outbreak of the Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa (CRPA). Between May 17, 2022, and Jan. 19, 2023, the investigation found that most people who had CRPA infections said they used EzriCare Artificial Tears or Delsam Artificial Tears.

Lab tests revealed that opened EzriCare Artificial Tears bottles contained the rare CRPA strain infecting these patients. Lawyers filed the first lawsuits shortly after EzriCare issued a voluntary recall for its artificial tears in February 2023.

As of its last reported update on May 15, 2023, the CDC had received reports of 81 cases of CRPA across 18 states. Of those cases, 14 people reported vision loss, and four people died after using Ezricare or Delsam eye drops.

What Bacteria Is Named in Artificial Tears Lawsuits?

The type of infectious bacteria named in EzriCare Artificial Tears lawsuits is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This bacterium is common and can live in moist places like damp soil, ponds and sinks. It can cause blood and lung infections and infect surgical wounds, although healthy people are generally unaffected. Infection is especially common in clinical settings.

According to the CDC, EzriCare Artificial Tears samples contained rare strand of drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa, called Carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Carbapenems are strong antibiotics designed to fight bacteria resistant to other types of antibiotics.

CRPA resistance to carbapenems makes this strain of bacteria extremely difficult to treat. Those infected may require months of therapy with various types of antibiotics.

Anyone who used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma artificial tears and suffered an eye infection, vision loss or other injuries caused specifically by Pseudomonas aeruginosa may qualify for an EzriCare lawsuit.

Symptoms of eye infections include itchy and painful eyes. If you or a loved one used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma artificial tears and have symptoms of an infection, see a doctor as soon as possible. Late treatment could increase the risk of infection-related complications.

Each state has time limits to file a lawsuit, and litigation may soon end, according to lawyers Drugwatch spoke with. If you’re unsure if you qualify, consider contacting a lawyer immediately to preserve your right to hold manufacturers accountable.

People injured by using contaminated EzriCare or Delsam Artificial Tears have filed class action and individual lawsuits.

In EzriCare class action lawsuits, plaintiffs are demanding refunds for the product’s purchase price.

Plaintiffs in individual injury lawsuits demand compensation for EzriCare-related infections and eye problems.

Global Pharma issued the EzriCare and Delsam Pharma artificial tears recall on Feb. 2, 2023. On Feb. 22, 2023, Global Pharma also initiated a recall for Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment because of potential bacterial contamination.

Side effects for artificial tears are usually mild and may include irritation or allergic reactions. Bacterial contamination is not a typical side effect. Typically, EzriCare Artificial Tears ingredients are considered safe.

The CDC and the FDA worked together to investigate multi-state infections. Assessments of whether CRPA is present in sealed bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears occurred.

In July 2024, researchers published their findings in an article in the Clinical Infectious Diseases Journal. Researchers determined bacteria from infected patients was present in opened and unopened bottles of EzriCare Artificial Tears. In the study, researchers only refer to the product as “Brand A.” However, data from CDC reports regarding EzriCare products is consistent with Brand A data mentioned in the study.

EzriCare and Delsam eye drops are not the only eye products facing controversy. In September 2023, the FDA issued a warning letter to companies about other eye products that were illegally marketed and had quality issues. The FDA said its investigation of eye products was ongoing, and “the agency may take additional regulatory or enforcement actions, as warranted.”

In October 2023, the agency warned consumers to stop using certain over-the-counter eye products because of the potential risk of eye infections that could cause partial vision loss or blindness. The warning was followed by two voluntary recalls initiated by Kilitch Healthcare India Limited and Cardinal Health Inc. in November 2023. In January 2024, Kilitch updated its products with corrected national drug codes (NDC), which are product identifiers for human drugs. Initially, the company had listed the wrong NDC for lubricant gel drops in its press release concerning recalls.

Editor Lindsay Donaldson contributed to this article.