FDA Warns Against Using Popular OTC Eye Drops

Over the past couple of days, the FDA has warned against 27 different over-the-counter eye drop products which may pose a risk of infection. This warning comes after unsanitary conditions were found at the manufacturers of these artificial tears. Common big box stores and pharmacies such as CVS, Rite Aid, Target, and Walmart carried these brands and, while some have voluntarily taken them off the shelves, some of these products may be circulating. 

There are no confirmed cases of infection attributed to the eye drops. However, the FDA is still warning patients to be on the lookout since the bacteria can cause eye infections which may cause temporary vision loss or even blindness.

Scroll to the bottom of the page for a full list of recalled products or navigate to the FDA website.

Eye Drop Recall Details

A majority of the recalled products are now off the shelves because of quick reactions by CVS, Target, Rite Aid, and Walmart. However, patients should still be aware that some of these eye drops may still be available online and in other places. Contaminated eye drops that still may be circulating can be found under the brand names of Leader, Rugby, and Velocity. 

If you do find these eye drops or are concerned about the sterility of a product you plan on purchasing, we recommend asking the pharmacist to confirm it’s not part of the recall. If you have already purchased one of the recalled products, cease use immediately and safely dispose of the eye drops according to FDA guidelines.
Finally, the FDA is encouraging patients who believe they may have been infected by one of these products to report it with the MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting portal.

Signs of Eye Infection

The symptoms of an eye infection may include itchy or scratchy eyes, increased discharge, blurry vision, pain, redness, and swelling of the eyeball or eyelid. The bacteria found in the eye drops is a dangerous and potentially drug-resistant bacterial called Pseudomonas aeruginosa. If you have an eye infection and have recently used one of the products listed below, please contact your ophthalmologist, or primary care physician, or seek care at your nearest urgent care center or emergency room. The best way to ensure a positive outcome is by seeking treatment as early as possible.

Why Opthamologic Products Are Different

Contamination in ophthalmologic products is particularly concerning because these products are meant to be totally sterile. Other products found near eye drops like toothpaste or hand creams do not need to be manufactured in a sterile environment. So while the products may be found in similar areas in a pharmacy or store, their requirements for production are vastly different and ophthalmologic products require a higher degree of cleanliness. This is because the eye lacks many of the same immune capabilities as the rest of the body and is therefore more susceptible to infection when faced with a high load of bacteria or virus.

Treating Dry Eyes with Lubricating Drops

Dry eye syndrome is one of the most common diseases in America and artificial tears play a crucial role in treating the disease. Some of the symptoms of this syndrome are eye irritation, grittiness, burning sensations, and blurred vision–many of which can be alleviated with exogenous (external) eye lubricants.
Because this syndrome is so prevalent in the American public, these recalls are the grounds for a measured yet healthy amount of concern. Patients who use contact lenses are particularly vulnerable to infections from contaminated eye drops and also infections in general. Anyone using eye drops to treat dry eye syndrome should remain vigilant of future recalls and consult their ophthalmologist or primary care physician with any concerns. If you are a patient with questions or concerns, please contact the Laser Eye Institute.

Retailer/ Label	Product	Product Information
CVS Health	Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
	Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
	Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v
	Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v
	Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml	Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
	Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml	Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
	Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single pack)	Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v
	Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)	Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v
	Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)	Polyethylene Glycol 400 Eye Drop ‘0.25% w/v
Rugby (Cardinal Health)	Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15 ml	Hypromellose 2910-0.3% w/v & Dextran 70- 0.1% Eye Drops
	Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml	Polyvinyl Alcohol Eye Drops 1.4% w/v
Leader (Cardinal Health)	Dry Eye Relief 10 ml	Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
	Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
	Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
	Dry Eye Relief 15 ml	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v
	Eye Irritation Relief 15 ml	Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
Rite Aid	Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
	Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)	Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v
	Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 ml	Hypromellose 0.3%, Glycerin 0.2%, Dextran 70 0.1% Eye Drops
	Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1% w/v
	Lubricating Gel Drops 10 ml	Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
	Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml	Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5% w/v & Povidone 0.6% w/v & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
Target	Up&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30 ml	Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
	Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15 ml (single pack)	Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
	Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30 ml (twin pack)	Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% w/v
Velocity Pharma LLC	Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)	Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v
Walmart	Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml	Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops