The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning consumers to avoid over-the-counter lubricating eye drops sold by major retailers such as Target, Rite Aid, Walmart, and CVS due to potential bacterial contamination that could lead to infections, partial vision loss, or blindness. Clinical professor Gary D. Novack, a clinical pharmacologist at UC Davis Health, said the FDA has been particularly vigilant on eye drop enforcement issues this year, with multiple recalls.
The eye drops are marketed under retailers and brands Walmart, CVS Health, Rite Aid, Target Up and Up, Leader, Rugby, and Velocity Pharma, and are “intended to be sterile”. In January, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said people should stop using EzriCare Artificial Tears pending an investigation into bacterial infections linked to the product. Kilitch Healthcare, which supplies companies such as CVS Health, Cardinal Health (Leader and Rugby), Rite Aid, Target Up and Up, Velocity Pharma, and Walmart, voluntarily recalled these products.
The FDA advisory applies to lubricating drops sold by six companies, including CVS Health, Target, Rite Aid, and Cardinal Health. Eye drops sold at stores including CVS, Rite Aid, and Target could cause blindness, as they replenish tears and refresh eyes with a sterile formula that quickly relieves discomfort. Dr. Barbara Tylka, an optometrist at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., understood why people might be affected by the potential risks associated with artificial tears.
Kilitch Healthcare has not received any reports of adverse health effects linked to the recall. Some of the eye drops may have already been recalled. Before using or buying artificial tears, check the most recent recall list to see if your product is affected. Contact your healthcare team right away if you’ve used artificial tears and notice vision changes or if you have any recalled brands.
📹 Eye Drop Safety – What Patients Should Know About Recalls and Infections from Artificial Tears
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled dozens of over-the-counter eye drops — artificial tears — in 2023 due to …
Is it okay to use tear drops everyday?
Eye drops, often containing preservatives and thickening agents, can cause eye irritation if used beyond the prescribed period. It is recommended to use no more than four doses of eye drops containing preservatives in one day. Eye drops are saline solutions with medications for various eye conditions, sometimes without medication. Lubricating eye drops help replace natural eye moisture, relieve dryness and irritation, and promote comfort.
Artificial tears in an injured eye also promote surface healing, increase comfort, reduce surface scratching, and flush out residual particles, preventing further damage by keeping the eye lubricated.
What 3 eye drops are recalled?
The recall of Ezricare’s Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops (15 mL) is due to the presence of Javascript disabled or blocked by an extension or browser not supporting cookies. The affected product is Carboxymethylcellulose 1Delsam Pharma and their Mineral Oil 15, white petrolatum 83 eye ointment.
Which artificial tears are not safe?
The FDA has issued a warning to EzriCare Artificial Tears due to potential bacterial contamination, which has been linked to severe eye infections in 55 patients, including one death. Apotex Corp. has voluntarily recalled six lots of Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution due to caps cracks, while Pharmedica USA has voluntarily recalled two lots of Purely Soothing 15 MSM Drops due to non-sterility. No infections have been associated with these products. The warning comes after the FDA issued a warning on February 2.
What brand of artificial tears is being recalled?
In 2023, several eye drops were recalled due to potential safety concerns. These include EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, Delsam Pharma Artificial Eye Ointment, Clear Eyes Once Daily, Purely Soothing 15 MSM Drops, Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5 Solution, LightEyez MSM Eye Drops-Eye Repair, CVS Health Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack), CVS Health Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack), CVS Health Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml, CVS Health Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml, CVS Health Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml, CVS Health Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml, Rite Aid Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack), Target Up and Up High Performance Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml, Velocity Pharma LLC Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack), Walmart Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml, and Leader Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack).
The recalls were made to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these eye drops. Some of the recalled products include EzriCare Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, Clear Eyes Once Daily, Purely Soothing 15 MSM Drops, Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5 Solution, LightEyez MSM Eye Drops-Eye Repair, CVS Health Lubricant Eye Drops, Rugby Lubricating Tears Eye Drops, Rugby Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.
4 Lubricating Eye Drops, Leader Dry Eye Relief, Rite Aid Lubricant Eye Drops, Target Up and Up High Performance Lubricant Eye Drops, Velocity Pharma LLC Lubricant Eye Drop, Walmart Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop, and Leader Lubricant Eye Drops.
Is it safe to use artificial tear drops?
Artificial tears are eye drops, gels, or ointments that lubricate dry eyes. They work by adding to the water or fatty acid part of tears, which is part of the lacrimal apparatus. These tears manage conditions such as dryness, inflammation, and dryness. To use artificial tears, limit their use to four to six times per day, and use products without preservatives if needed. Artificial tears can be purchased without a prescription and can be used to treat various conditions.
What eye drops are contaminated in 2024?
The U. S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to consumers against the purchase of South Moon, Rebright, or FivFivGo eye drops, citing the potential risk of eye infection. These products are imitations of Bausch + Lomb’s Lumify brand eye drops, which have been approved for the treatment of redness. The FDA has issued a warning that these products should not be available for sale in the United States, as they are intended for the treatment of eye conditions such as glaucoma.
Is it bad to use eye drops every day?
While eye drops are a beneficial treatment option, they are not recommended for long-term use due to the potential for adverse effects, such as exacerbating pre-existing dry eye if used excessively.
Is it bad to use artificial tears too often?
Artificial tears with preservatives can be harmful and may worsen dry eye symptoms. Optometrists recommend using them no more than four times a day, as the chemicals inside can worsen the condition. Preservative-free artificial tears, which do not contain preservatives, can be used as many times as needed but typically expire faster. However, eye drops are not the only solution for dry eye symptoms. Other treatments may be more beneficial if the symptoms persist despite using eye drops.
How do you know if eye drops are safe?
Dr. Jin recommends that consumers review the recall list prior to purchasing new over-the-counter (OTC) products and utilize FDA-approved eyedrops to circumvent potential regulatory issues. The safe and appropriate use of eye drops can safeguard the eyes and vision, mitigate the risk of infection, and assist in the prevention of infections. To gain insight into the available treatments, it is recommended to schedule an appointment with an ophthalmologist at Henry Ford Eye Care.
What are the safest eye drops to use?
Eye drops are essential for treating dry eyes, which can be uncomfortable or painful. Different types of drops are used to treat different problems, such as allergies or dry eyes. The right type of eye drops can help ease symptoms and keep the eyes lubricated. Some types mimic natural tears, while others may cause itching and wateriness. The best OTC eye drops for dry eyes depend on the symptoms and the underlying cause.
For example, allergies may cause itchy and watery eyes, while dry eye syndrome may cause constant irritability. By choosing the right type of eye drops, you can find the relief you need and avoid worsening your symptoms.
Are cheap eye drops safe?
Using the wrong eye drops can lead to worsening your condition. Common mistakes people make include assuming that more drops will lead to better results, focusing on volume, and not using the right technique for application. For instance, if you have dry or itchy eyes, large doses may not be effective. Instead, focus on the right technique for applying eye drops to ensure the best results. Avoid impulsively purchasing the cheapest or first option, as these can lead to negative consequences.
📹 7 Best Preservative Free Artificial Tears (Dry Eye Drops Explained)
Are you looking for the best over-the-counter eye drops for your dry eyes. I almost always recommend preservative free, and these …
BETTER BE CAREFUL—– I LOST ONE EYE with Artificail Tears….. I was being treated for retina issues- and cataracts– had the surgeries- and was told to use Artificial Tears for dryness– and had for a year.. Then, one day i opened a NEW bottle and thank God I put it in the left one first… (it was the ALREADY bad eye for almost no vision).. and I put ONE DROP in and it was like ACID in my eye. I literally SCREAMED out loud for 2 full days– then Sis managed to get off work and take me to the hospital (she didn’t know sooner- because I hurt so bad couldn’t get to the phone to dial)… They did everything– blood tests, cat scan- etc. and i was told it was fine- except the OUTER protective layer of my eye had been literally BURNED OFF!!. Went to my doc that Monday- (another two days of pain and screaming). he said nothing he could do– went to specialist in JC and they took one look and said ” OH MY GOD- this is a MESS- we cna’t even fix this”. They removed it– I LOST that eye due to that drop.!!! A month later– CDC sent me an email and a form to fill out about it-and I”m one of the 4 people they have on record that actually LOST an eye due to the drop. IT is ARTIFICIAL TEARS the brand and were contaminated and they wouldn’t even tell me with what. They said they had found out what it was and that it was ok now– but I”M NEVER USING that brand again. They are from INDIA– never use anything from India- EVER!!!!
I came across this article quite by chance and watched it because I’ve been using artificial tears for some time but still experience frequent watery eyes and irritation. I didn’t even know there was such a thing as preservative free drops. I bought the Biotrue and IMMEDIATELY could tell the difference in how it felt on my eyes. The eye watering and irritation have stopped. I am thrilled and cannot thank you enough for the wonderful information!
I have bad allergies on top of my dry eye and have been starting my day with Systane Zaditor, then about 15-20 minutes later I’ll throw in my transition contacts and the day has been a huge change in comfortability! I do use Biotrue Hydration Boost throughout the day when needed to keep that soothing balance if my allergies kick in or i’m going to be outside for a few hours.
I have used and been happy with the Refresh Digital PF drops for some time. Dry eyes are a huge problem in the Mojave Desert, especially in winter. After LASIK, my doctor recommended the Systane Complete PF drops. I can’t really compare them to the Refresh drops because it’s a special post-surgery situation. I will say that I’m having a horrible time with blurry vision 7 weeks after the surgery and the only thing that really helps is the steroid drops that I was supposed to stop using 3 weeks ago. The Systane drops only help if I put in 2-3 drops, spaced 5 minutes apart. I might get some of the Refresh Digital drops and see if they do better.
I’ve had dry eye issues for years with various treatments including a 3 month round of Oxervate. Unfortunately, the cause has yet to be found. However, I want thank you for this info. Been using Sustain Complete PF for the past year, but it hasn’t helped. Nice to find out there are other options that contain castor oil. Recently have become a fan of using caster oil warm pack treatments because of the tremendous amount of soothing they seem to be providing.b Thanks again!
I highly recommend Systane Complete PF drops. I’ve tried various other brands without success. I have had dry eyes for 2 yrs following cataract surgery in 2021. Also have developed in both eyes MGD and blepharitis. Since starting Systane Complete PF (only a month ago) all my system are gone. No more watery, itchy & blurry eyes. I noticed immediate relief after the first drop!
Thank you so much for your article. I’ve been using Systane Complete (with the preservative) for the last few months but had no idea the difference between PF and ones with preservatives. Going to try out the PF version to see if it feels better. Also recently bought the Optimel manuka honey drops and they seem to work well too.
@DrEyeGuy I wear contact lenses. Your articles are so helpful, but would be even better if you differentiated between with and without lenses in, how long to go before putting lenses in. I have tried a zillion different drops, so expensive, and this gives me a couple more but I’ll keep trying to find the magic drops. Thanks for your efforts!
I had severe dry eye caused by my cpap machine, which I had never been warned could cause it. I switched mask which made a tremendous impact. My dry eye has almost disappeared but I still use drops occasionally during the day. Thanks for the article, you have some I haven’t tried so I’ll need to check them out.
Hi there, I have been told by my optician that i have blepharitis and Meibomian Gland Dysfuntion. Sounds much worse than it is!! I have been given advice on good personal care and hygiene for this condition. I have noticed, though, on a chat forum that DIY Manuka honey treatments work by dropping diluted honey into the eye along the lid margins and also massaging in the honey!!! What are your thoughts because apart from the thought of really sticky eyes and fingers I am not sure if there is real science behind this? Hope you can help. Thanks muchly. Jaci from the UK 🇬🇧
I tried all of these Eye Drops but they didn’t work Until I google up the best Eye Drops for Dry eyes and the Name RAIN popped up. I researched it then finally ordered the Drops. This RAIN worked immediately, my eyes and vision haven’t felt or been that good in many years. RAIN is a little expensive then over the counter drops but it Works far more better then any Artificial tear drops in the World. You cant buy RAIN over the counter, you have to order it on line. Believe me once you try RAIN you will never look back. RAIN have changed my life. It gave me my life back. Like I said it’s a little expensive but it’s worth every penny.
Wow, thank you so much for all your information! My Eye Dr. said I have dry eyes and told me to get preservative free eye drops so I did and the two brands I tried both irritated my eyes which were not cheap. I then bought Equate brand Dry Eye Relief lubricant drops from Walmart which has a preservative but is very soothing and didn’t irritate for daytime use and also Equate Lubricant Eye Ointment which does not have a preservative for night time use. The night ointment really helps if my eyes are really dry. I also know that a long time ago someone recommended baby shampoo for washing eye makeup off because it doesn’t irritate the eyes and keeps eyelash mites under control. Also, the vitamin Ocuvite is recommended for dry eyes and eye health in general. Thank you for all these recommendations, I’m interested in the ones with castor oil in them because its suppose to penetrate deeper into the cells.
I had cornea transplants on both eyes. I wear scleral contacts pretty much the whole time I’m awake, from 630am to 12am!!!! Within the past 4 years there was a gradual and frustrating change that was due to “dry eyes’ though i mostly experience it in my right eye. One thing i noticed as soon as i woke up and didn’t put some type of eye drop, was “rings” around any type of light sources. I’ve tried everything, and still no change. But now I take D3 Fish oil in liquid form (faster and better absorption than the pill) in addition before I sleep, nighttime eye gel, when I wake up Retaine MGD. The Retaine MGD looks similiar to the Hydration Complete PF, which I have already ordered (which after seeing this article was sold out very fast on Amazon!!!) I see the eye dr on Monday and will ask for the dry eye test to pinpoint what it is am experiencing.
I’ve tried so many and they all cause a great deal of pain–so much that it takes three days to recover from my new purchased preservative free new brands that I try. My new doctor put me on Prednisolone for one week and I wanted to stay on it because I finally had relief, but I had to stop due to the side effects it can cause. The new doc does research on dry eyes so he calls me his research project–says I’m producing tears, but this became super bad immediately following cataract surgery. Now, it looks like there’s a few you listed I haven’t tried, so I’ll try them, but it gets expensive to try these only to find out they leave me in so much pain that I only use them a couple times and give up.
I’m trying to find another PF eye drop. I bought the Systane Complete and my eye has been much drier which I don’t understand. I’m having cataract surgery in July so want to make sure my eye isn’t dry for the lens measurements. I could never understand why I couldn’t wear contacts and now realize it’s because my eye dries out so fast. Do you have a recommendation to try?
My eye doctor has me on Xiidra, Pataday, and warm compresses. I had lipiflow done as well. Definitely made my eyes feel a lot better. Now my eyes don’t get itchy throughout the day like before and they look more clear. Also my vision is sharper. The over the counter eye drops that work for me are the Blink gel tears. Now I’m curious about the preservative gel tears mentioned 😀
I used some Thera Tears Liquid Gel Nighttime and they are horrible! The active ingredient is Sodium carboxymethylcellulose and it does not coat my eye at all. After instillation, the product forms up into little globules that appear in my vision as black dots in strings or clusters. Further, they are very irritating. I got the individual vials and they contain so much product that it’s impossible to use a single vial completely even treating both eyes. The first time I used them, I split the vial between both eyes and really drenched my eyes. Being new to individual drop vials, I thought that would be the thing to do. Horrible mistake! It moved to the back of my eye a made my eyes feel as if there was a foreign body in my eye. I gently manipulated my eyelids and rolled my eyes until i had expelled most of it. Thinking that was the cause of the irritation I experienced, I tried the drops again a couple of days later. I found that even one drop per eye was uncomfortable and left me seeing the black dots again. I am going to try one of your recommendations and I’ll follow up with my results.
I’ve been using the generic Walmart artificial tears daily for years. They are only a few dollars and they feel great. But I just checked & they have benzalkonium chloride. I use a C-pap every night (19 years) and air blows across my eyes, so when I wake up they are like prunes. Any advice? Also, can you do an episode on eye/vision insurance (costs v benefits, caveats, etc.)?
I have tried most of the eye drops that you recommended, well all of it that is available in South Africa and none of these work for me, after 30 minutes my eyes feels scratchy again, the eye drops without preservatives are definitely better than the ones with preservatives. Thank you for your recommendations.
I’m being treated for viscous hemorrhage due to diabetes, on Monday at one of my treatments, they used numbing sponges in my eyes instead of the usual pre shot. My eyes have been red and itchy and raw skin around my eye ever since.. they said some people have that reaction to the sponges and I should use artificial tears.. so I’m hoping that works!
My opthalmologist recommended I use Systane complete. I’ve used it for almost a year now, my eyes are still dry and itchy. I began using heated moisture eye compressor to help moisturize my eyes for longer periods of time; it does help. Sometimes, I also use eyelid wipes. I still suffer from the dry eyes.
Hey, Doctor! As an EBMD patient, I’ve noticed NOTHING helps me as much as Systane Ultra PF. I’ve experimented numerous times with other things, hoping to get some additional improvement, and always came crawling back to Systane Ultra PF. It’s frustrating because I still have glare and blurriness despite sticking with the “best” lubricant eye drop for me. Might Systane Hydration work due to the hyaluronic acid, which is good for corneal epithelial repair? It seems promising, but given my history, I’m honestly nervous to try it. Thanks ahead of time for your thoughts! EDIT: And yes, I do use Muro solution 4x daily and the ointment at night.