On Friday, the US Food and Drug Administration released a statement stating that Global Pharma Healthcare, an Indian company, is voluntarily recalling its artificial tears and lubricant eye drops after 55 adverse events, including one death and cases of permanent blindness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), US, issued an alert about an investigation into a multi-state cluster of a potential drug-resistant microbial infection linked to the eye drops manufactured by Chennai-based Global Pharma Healthcare.

The FDA also issued a warning to customers, stating that using tainted artificial tears could increase the risk of eye infections that could result in blindness. "Artificial Tears (carboxymethylcellulose sodium) Lubricant Eye Drops, 10 mg in 1 mL, 12 fl oz (15 ml bottle), are intended to temporarily ease discomfort brought on by minor eye irritations, exposure to wind or sunlight, or dryness of the eye.

In the meantime, a CDC investigation is focusing on a multi-state cluster of carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections caused by Verona Integron-mediated Metallo-ß-Lactamase (VIM) and Guiana Extended Spectrum-ß-Lactamase (GES) infections that may be linked to the use of artificial tears. 

(Source: https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/vision-loss-cases-indian-drug-firm-recalls-eye-drop-476371 )