Table of contents
- Latest EzriCare Eye Drops Lawsuit Updates
- August 5, 2025: Girenko Case Dismissed with Prejudice
- January 31, 2025: Putative Class Action Filed in New Jersey
- December 24, 2024: Girenko Lawsuit Filed
- May 20, 2024: Kentucky Judge Keeps Gregory Suit Alive
- May 19, 2023: CDC Update Reports Four Deaths
- April 3, 2023: FDA Inspection Finds 11 Observations
- March 23, 2023: Oliva Sues Six Defendants
- February 9, 2023: First Lawsuit Filed in Florida
- February 2, 2023: Global Pharma Announces Recall
- February 1, 2023: CDC Issues Health Advisory
- What Is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?
- Who May Be Affected?
- Reported Injuries or Damages
- Recall and Regulatory Background
- Evidence to Preserve
- Filing Deadlines
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How Many Lawsuits Were Filed over EzriCare Eye Drops?
- What Are the Symptoms of an EzriCare Eye Infection?
- What Does the Research Say About the EzriCare Outbreak?
- What Is the Difference Between EzriCare and Delsam Artificial Tears?
EzriCare Artificial Tears, made by Global Pharma Healthcare, were recalled in 2023 after an outbreak of drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections. Lawsuits allege the drops caused eye infections, vision loss, eye removal and sepsis.
The CDC counted four deaths among 81 patients in 18 states by May 2023. Plaintiffs have filed individual federal suits. One putative class action was filed in New Jersey on January 31, 2025.
No MDL has been formed, and no settlement has been reported. If you used these drops and now have an eye infection, stop using any that remain and see a doctor.
Latest EzriCare Eye Drops Lawsuit Updates
August 5, 2025: Girenko Case Dismissed with Prejudice
Judge Georgette Castner of the District of New Jersey signed a stipulation and order dismissing Girenko v. EzriCare LLC with prejudice [1]. An April 10, 2025 order had stayed the case pending arbitration.
The parties ended the case by stipulation. It was not decided on the merits, and no court has found liability in any EzriCare lawsuit.
January 31, 2025: Putative Class Action Filed in New Jersey
Tabitha Starling filed a putative class action in New Jersey federal court, according to Eyes On Eyecare [2]. She alleges EzriCare Artificial Tears bought at Walgreens were contaminated with P. aeruginosa and caused a serious eye infection.
The complaint also alleges a lack of appropriate microbial testing and the use of multi-dose bottles without a preservative. These claims remain allegations.
December 24, 2024: Girenko Lawsuit Filed
Elena Girenko filed Girenko v. EzriCare LLC, No. 3:24-cv-11450, in the District of New Jersey. The complaint names EzriCare LLC, EzriRx LLC, Global Pharma Healthcare Private Ltd. and Walmart, Inc., and it includes a jury demand.
Girenko joined the individual suits first filed in 2023 over the contaminated artificial tears. Plaintiffs in these suits allege injuries from the recalled products.
May 20, 2024: Kentucky Judge Keeps Gregory Suit Alive
Judge David L. Bunning of the Eastern District of Kentucky refused to dismiss a lawsuit against EzriCare and Global Pharma Healthcare as a shotgun pleading. Bloomberg Law reported the ruling [3].
Plaintiff Judith Gregory alleges she developed sepsis from an infection. The ruling concerned how the complaint was written. It did not decide liability.
May 19, 2023: CDC Update Reports Four Deaths
The CDC update reported four deaths and 14 cases of vision loss. Four patients had their eyeballs surgically removed. At least 81 patients in 18 states were counted, CNN reported [4].
The counts reflect data as of May 15, 2023. They are patient reports collected by the CDC, and no court has ruled on them.
April 3, 2023: FDA Inspection Finds 11 Observations
An FDA inspection of the Global Pharma Healthcare facility in India produced 11 observations, according to CNN [5]. They included a manufacturing process that lacked assurance of product sterility.
The inspection lasted 11 days. The sterility finding covered batches made between December 2020 and April 2022 and shipped to the US.
March 23, 2023: Oliva Sues Six Defendants
Clara Oliva of Miami, who says she is legally blind and lost an eye, sued six defendants, according to USA Today [6]. Her suit concerns the recalled artificial tears.
The defendants named in her suit are Global Pharma Healthcare, EzriCare, EzriRx, Aru Pharma, Leon Medical Centers and HealthSpring of Florida.
February 9, 2023: First Lawsuit Filed in Florida
Teresa Phillips, a Florida woman, sued the maker of EzriCare artificial tears and Walmart in the Middle District of Florida, per NBC News [7]. Her lawyers described it as the first nationwide suit over the eyedrops.
February 2, 2023: Global Pharma Announces Recall
Global Pharma Healthcare announced a voluntary recall of EzriCare Artificial Tears because of possible contamination, according to NBC News. The announcement came one day after the CDC issued its advisory.
February 1, 2023: CDC Issues Health Advisory
The CDC told patients and providers to stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears in Health Advisory 00485 [8]. It counted 55 case-patients in 12 states as of January 31, 2023.
What Is Pseudomonas Aeruginosa?
CIDRAP reported the CDC’s description of the outbreak strain as VIM-GES-CRPA, a rare strain of extensively drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa [9]. It is a carbapenem-resistant strain.
The CDC lists many antibiotics that do not work against the strain. They include carbapenems and fluoroquinolones. The lawsuits on this page allege infections from drops contaminated with this bacterium.
Who May Be Affected?
People who used EzriCare Artificial Tears, or Delsam Pharma artificial tears or ointment, may be affected. The CDC and FDA recommended discarding these recalled products.
Most patients who reported using artificial tears in the CDC investigation used EzriCare Artificial Tears. The Starling complaint describes use of drops bought in February 2022. Some suits also name the retailers Walmart or Walgreens.
Whether you may qualify depends on your own facts and dates of use, and only an individual legal review of your records can say.
Reported Injuries or Damages
The CDC reported eye infections and infections of the lungs, urinary tract and blood. The eye infections hit the cornea and the inside of the eye. Patient outcomes included permanent vision loss, hospitalization and death.
Clara Oliva alleges loss of an eye and legal blindness. Judith Gregory alleges sepsis. Tabitha Starling alleges a corneal ulcer with scarring that needed scleral lenses. Reports are not proof that the product caused every case.
Recall and Regulatory Background
The CDC and FDA told patients and doctors to throw away EzriCare Artificial Tears. CIDRAP reported that the recall also covered two Delsam Pharma products.
The American Academy of Ophthalmology relayed a CDC statement dated January 20, 2023 [10]. The CDC told patients to see a provider about an alternative product. A recall does not prove liability.
Evidence to Preserve
Keep the following items if you believe contaminated artificial tears harmed you. Do not discard records that show when and where you used the drops:
- The bottle or box, including the lot number and expiration date, if you still have it
- Purchase receipts or card records showing where and when you bought the drops
- Photographs of the product and of any eye symptoms
- Medical records and culture records from your eye care providers
- Prescriptions you received for the infection
- A note of your symptoms and the dates they began
Filing Deadlines
Time limits for eye infection claims exist, and state law sets them. The limit that applies to you depends on where you live and on the dates of your infection, injury and diagnosis.
Missing the limit could end a claim. If you believe the drops harmed you, ask a lawyer about your own dates soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Many Lawsuits Were Filed over EzriCare Eye Drops?
Lawsuits over EzriCare eye drops numbered 14 in federal courts between February and June 2023, according to Eyes On Eyecare. The consumers say the contaminated drops injured them and caused serious eye infections.
What Are the Symptoms of an EzriCare Eye Infection?
The CDC lists these symptoms of an EzriCare eye infection. They are eye discharge, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, a feeling of something in the eye, increased sensitivity to light and blurry vision. It says to seek timely medical care.
What Does the Research Say About the EzriCare Outbreak?
The research from the CDC says the outbreak strain was identified in opened EzriCare bottles with different lot numbers from two states. The CDC said that could mean contamination during use or during manufacturing, and testing of unopened bottles was ongoing.
What Is the Difference Between EzriCare and Delsam Artificial Tears?
The difference between EzriCare and Delsam artificial tears is the brand. EzriCare Artificial Tears are a preservative-free product in multidose bottles. Delsam Pharma sold two additional products that were recalled with them: Artificial Tears and Artificial Ointment.