So, the FDA has issued yet another warning to consumers to immediately stop the purchase and use of some common over the counter eye drop products. This has so far involved 18 states with 81 people reporting problems. The infection has led to 14 people going blind thus far.
Again, this is another major eye drop recall this year. And by “major,” we mean that there’s been more than just those three …. just on a smaller scale.
What Eye Drops are being recalled?
Below is a list of the marketed brands included in the FDA alert:
- CVS Health
- Leader (Cardinal Health)
- Rugby Cardinal Health
- Rite Aid
- Target Up & Up
- Velocity Pharma
- Walmart
Here are the Actual Brands
This is a fairly long list, so buckle up!
CVS Health Eye Drops
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5%
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5%
- Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1%
- Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1%
- Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5%, Povidone 0.6%, & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
- Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
- Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single pack)
- Active Ingredient: Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6%
- Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)
- Active Ingredient: Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6%
- Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)
- Active Ingredient: Polyethylene Glycol 400 Eye Drop ‘0.25%
Rugby (Cardinal Health) Eye Drops
- Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15 ml
- Active Ingredients: Hypromellose 2910-0.3% & Dextran 70- 0.1% Eye Drops
- Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml
- Active Ingredient: Polyvinyl Alcohol Eye Drops 1.4%
Leader (Cardinal Health) Drops
- Dry Eye Relief 10 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5%
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5%
- Dry Eye Relief 15 ml
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1%
- Eye Irritation Relief 15 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5%, Povidone 0.6%, & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
Rite Aid Eye Drops
- Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5%
- Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)
- Active Ingredient: Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6%
- Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 ml
- Active Ingredients: Hypromellose 0.3%, Glycerin 0.2%, and Dextran 70 0.1% Eye Drops
- Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1%
- Lubricating Gel Drops 10 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
- Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyvinyl Alcohol 0.5%, Povidone 0.6%, & Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride 0.05% Eye Drops
Target Eye Drops
- Up&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
- Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15 ml (single pack)
- Active Ingredients: Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
- Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30 ml (twin pack)
- Active Ingredient: Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5%
Velocity Pharma LLC
- Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)
- Active Ingredient: Propylene Glycol Eye Drops 0.6%
Walmart Eye Drops
- Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml
- Active Ingredients: Polyethylene Glycol 400 0.4% & Propylene Glycol 0.3% Eye Drops
So what’s the concern for use?
There is a potential for eye infections from these products that could lead to partial vision loss or blindness. Again, 14 people have gone blind thus far from these infections.
How did we learn about this?
Agency investigators uncovered unsanitary conditions in the products’ manufacturing facility as well as positive bacterial test results from an environmental sampling of critical drug production areas within the facility.
On October 25, 2023, the FDA recommended the manufacturer recall all product lots.
Not what an Eye Doctor wants to hear!
Any other recommendations?
I personally carry and use the Oasis Tears. These can be purchased through the link from amazon, or you can contact us (we are cheaper than Amazon). (918)245-2020
I could’ve sworn we just had an eye drop recall.
Correct! We did!
The most recent was in August 2023, when the FDA issued a warning against the use of two MSM eye drops. We also had one in April of 2023, and before that in March of 2023. However, we did originally start the year with a recall in January!
Obviously, lawsuits are starting to roll in over all these recalls and time will tell the true size of the problem.
Now, if you are looking for some great allergy eye drops check out that blog post.