Florida grandmother sues eye drop company after her right eye had to be ... trends now
A Florida grandmother is suing the makers of EzriCare Artificial Tears, a recalled product she alleges caused her to develop a bacterial infection in her eye, forcing it to be surgically removed.
Clara Oliva, 68, who is now registered as legally blind, is one of eight patients who have lost their vision as a result of using the eye drops.
Four of those individuals who became infected ended up requiring surgery to remove their eyes having lost vision. One person also died as a result of the infection.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have since issued a warning noting how the rare bacterial infection is, although there have been diagnoses in 68 patients across 16 US states.
Oliva had her right eye removed in September and replaced with a plastic implant.
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Clara Oliva, 68, who is now registered as legally blind, is one of eight patients who have lost their vision as a result of using the eye drops which she believed caused an eye infection
The South Florida grandmother is adjusting to life after a bacterial infection took her right eye
The CDC has linked 68 cases of bacterial infection across 16 states to EzriCare Artificial Tears (pictured). Multiple patients have gone blind and at least one person has died
According to Oliva's attorney, Natasha Cortes, she was using EzriCare Artificial Tears before developing the infection.
'My client is horribly injured and now legally blind. I am currently investigating others similarly injured by this recalled product,' Cortes stated.
According to the lawsuit, Oliva started using EzriCare Artificial Tears in May of last year.
Months later, her right eye became 'red, swollen, and abnormally watery.' She then developed a bacterial infection that caused a corneal ulcer and a deterioration of her vision.
'Given the severity of the infection in Mrs. Oliva's right eye, the exhaustion of treatment methods, and the risk of the infection spreading systematically creating a life-threatening condition, it was determined that an enucleation of Mrs. Oliva's right eye was the best option to control the severe antibiotic-resistant infection,' the suit declares.
In May 2022, she started using EzriCare artificial tears, an over-the-counter product, to alleviate dry eyes caused by contact lenses. An aggressive infection soon took hold
Oliva sought treatment from her doctor almost immediately, but nothing worked. All the while she continued using the drops, never knowing there were concerns
The Florida grandmother is now suing the makers of EzriCare Artificial Tears, a recalled product, that she frequently used before the infection
'On September 1, 2022, Mrs. Oliva's right eye was surgically removed and replaced with a plastic implant. Given her decreased
