Federal health regulators have issued a warning to consumers, urging them to cease using two additional eye drop products due to the potential risk of bacterial or fungal contamination.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising individuals against purchasing “Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution” and “LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair,” citing the potential for serious health hazards, including infections that could threaten vision and even life. The FDA emphasized that it is not aware of any reported problems related to the use of these products.
These recent recalls come after a series of FDA alerts earlier in the year cautioning against the use of various eye drop brands that were linked to an outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria. This outbreak has been associated with at least 4 deaths across 18 states and numerous infections.
Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products distributes the products under the Dr. Berne’s brand, while LightEyez Limited is responsible for the distribution of Light Eyez products.
The FDA’s examination of the products revealed that they were contaminated with microbes and lacked sterility, which is a requirement under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act. Furthermore, both products, classified as unapproved and being marketed illegally in the U.S., contain methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as an active ingredient, which is not approved for use in eye drop products.
The FDA cautioned, “Using contaminated eye drops could lead to vision-threatening infections ranging from minor to severe, and in some cases, life-threatening infections.” The agency advised individuals displaying signs or symptoms of an eye infection to “seek immediate medical attention.”
The FDA recommended that consumers who possess these eye drops should dispose of them according to the provided instructions.
Dr. Berne has initiated a voluntary recall of the “Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution,” while London-based LightEyez Limited has not responded to the FDA’s communication or taken measures to safeguard consumers, as stated by the agency.
According to the FDA, LightEyez’s product was found to be contaminated with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a bacteria capable of causing infections in the blood, lungs, or other parts of the body. Health authorities suspect that a drug-resistant strain of this bacteria is responsible for the deaths and health issues linked to the suspect eye drops.
In February, Global Pharma Healthcare recalled all batches of its EzriCare and Delsam Pharma brands of “Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops,” citing potential bacterial contamination.
