Popular Eye Drop Brands Recalled for Potential Infection Risks

The FDA warns consumers not to use 26 over-the-counter eye drop products from popular retailers, including CVS, Rite Aid, and Target, after discovering unsanitary conditions in manufacturing facilities.

The FDA urges consumers to discard or not purchase 26 specific eye drop brands used to treat dry eye or eye irritation from popular retailers. The warning comes after agency investigators found unsanitary conditions in the manufacturer's production facility. In addition, tests on samples retrieved from the facility showed positive results for bacteria.

The eye drops' manufacturer recalled all products on October 25.

Products recalled include:

CVS Health:

• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single and twin pack)
• Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single and twin pack)
• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml
• Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml
• Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single and twin pack)
• Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)

Rugby (Cardinal Health):

• Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15 ml
• Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml

Leader (Cardinal Health):

• Dry Eye Relief 10 ml
• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single and twin pack)
• Dry Eye Relief 15 ml
• Eye Irritation Relief 15 ml

Rite Aid:

• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
• Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)
• Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 ml
• Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml
• Lubricating Gel Drops 10 ml
• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml

Target:

• Up&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30 ml
• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15 ml (single pack)
• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30 ml (twin pack)

Velocity Pharma LLC:

• Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)

Although the FDA has not received any reports of eye infections or other adverse events, the products could potentially pose a serious health risk.

Rite Aid, CVS, and Target are removing the products from store shelves and websites. However, eye drops under Leader, Rugby, and Velocity brands may still be available online and in stores.

The FDA says consumers should not buy these eye drops and properly dispose of any products they have already purchased.

In addition, the agency urges healthcare professionals and anyone who has used these products to report any eye health issues to the FDA's MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program.

Earlier this year, Global Pharma Healthcare recalled all lots of its EzriCare LLC and Delsam Pharma Artificial Tear Lubricant Eye Drops due to antibiotic-resistant infections linked to the products. The contaminated drops resulted in dozens of infections across 14 states.

More recently, the FDA sent letters to several companies, including Walgreens, warning the firms about marketing unapproved eye products for treating pink eye, glaucoma, and other conditions. The agency also put the companies on notice for quality issues related to product sterility.