On August 22, 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning advising consumers to immediately stop using two eye drop products: Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops. Both products were contaminated with bacteria according to FDA findings. Dr. Berne's eye drops also had fungal contamination.
Using contaminated eye drops can lead to infections that may result in vision loss or even death, according to the FDA.
A week later, on August 30, 2023, Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products confirmed a voluntary recall of its eye drops. LightEyez has not yet responded to the FDA’s warning or call for a voluntary recall.
So far, the FDA is not aware of any adverse effects associated with these specific products. However, they encourage anyone experiencing uncomfortable side effects to report them to their doctor, especially since the active ingredient of these products, methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), is not approved for use in eye drugs.
The contamination is similar to the drug-resistant bacteria that was found in Delsam Pharma® and EzriCare® eye drops earlier this year, which resulted in over 80 infections and 4 deaths among users.
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More Than Contamination: Unapproved Active Ingredients & Illegal Product Marketing
Beyond the bacterial and fungal contamination, both Dr. Berne’s and LightEyez’ contain the active ingredient methylsulfonylmethane (MSM), which is not FDA-approved to treat eye-related conditions.
MSM is a chemical that has been used to reduce inflammation in people suffering from arthritis or other joint and muscle pain. LightEyez’ website alleges MSM can also “soften eye tissues,” “lessen eye floaters,” “stop eye allergies,” and solve a list of other eye irritations — but these claims may be unfounded.
“These products are unapproved drugs and illegally marketed in the U.S. There are no legally marketed [eye] drugs that contain MSM as an active ingredient.”
– U.S. Food and Drug Administration
While Dr. Berne’s Whole Health Products went through with the contaminated eye drop recall, neither Dr. Berne’s nor LightEyez has made a comment regarding the unapproved nature of the MSM ingredient.
What Happens If You Use Contaminated Eye Drops?
The Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act requires eye drops to be sterile in order to ensure they are safe for use. Even a trace amount of bacteria or fungus present in the bottle can colonize or grow out of control, which may lead to serious health concerns.
Once applied to the eyes, these contaminants go directly into the body. What may first start as an eye infection could soon advance to permanent vision loss or life-threatening infections.
Some symptoms of an eye infection may include:
- Blurry vision
- Discharge from the eye
- Eye redness
- Light sensitivity
- Pain in the eyes
The Pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteria found in EzriCare eye drops is extremely resistant to antibiotics, making these eye infections difficult to treat. This type of bacteria can lead to complications like blood infections, pneumonia, and sepsis.
The Pseudomonas strain of bacteria was also found in LightEyez’ products.
If you have any contaminated eye drops and begin to suffer from eye irritation, contact your doctor immediately.
Get Legal Help After Using Contaminated Eye Drops
If you developed a serious infection after using contaminated eye drops, you may be able to seek legal help.
The list of contaminated eye drops in 2023 includes:
- EzriCare Artificial Tears
- Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears
- Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops
- LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair
For over 40 years, Sokolove Law has held negligent companies accountable for their harmful products. We’ve secured more than $9.1 Billion for clients across the country who have suffered preventable injuries or illnesses.
Our team can determine if you may be eligible to file a lawsuit and fight for financial compensation to help cover your medical bills and other expenses.
Call (800) 995-1212 now to find out more about your legal options. It costs nothing to speak with us.
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