The Food and Drug Administration has urged consumers to stop use of several over-the-counter eyedrops because of an infection risk that could result in partial vision loss and blindness.
If consumers using the recalled products experience any eye infection symptoms, they should speak to and visit their health care provider immediately, the FDA said in its recall announcement Friday.
As of Friday, the FDA hasn’t received any “adverse events reports of eye infection” related to using the recalled products yet, but it encourages any consumers who experience “adverse events” to report the incident through the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting.
Why were the eyedrops recalled?
The eyedrops were recalled because FDA investigators “found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility and positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling of critical drug production areas in the facility,” per the FDA.
Unsanitary eye products are of special concern for the FDA because any product administered to the eye “bypass some of the body’s natural defenses.”
Where were the recalled eyedrops sold?
The recalled eyedrops were sold online and in stores at CVS, Target and Rite Aid. These companies have pulled the products off store shelves to prevent continued sales.
The eyedrops were also sold by Rugby, Leader and Velocity Pharma. As of the FDA’s announcement on Friday, the recalled eyedrops could still be available for purchase through these sellers.
What eyedrops were recalled?
The following eyedrops were recalled, according to the FDA:
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).
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.
CVS Health
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack).
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack).
- Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single pack).
- Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack).
- Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml.
- Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml.
- Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single pack).
- Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (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 pack).
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack).
- Dry Eye Relief 15 ml.
- Eye Irritation Relief 15 ml.
Velocity Pharma LLC
- Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack).