Multiple FDA eye drop recalls
According to Gary D. Novack, a clinical professor at UC Davis Health, the FDA has been especially vigilant on eye drop enforcement problems this year, with multiple recalls. Asked if lubricating drops are more prone to contamination than other OTC products, Novak, who is a clinical pharmacologist with experience in ophthalmic product development, explained that these products need to be sterile, which isn’t true of dermatological and oral products.
Moreover, ophthalmic drug products are especially concerning from a public health perspective. Since they are intended for administration into the eyes, these products typically pose a greater risk of harm to consumers because the route of administration bypasses some of the body’s natural defenses.
Novack also pointed out that OTC eye drops have a different regulatory procedure than prescription products. The recent eye drop recalls only include over-the-counter products, which means that prescription eye drop products shouldn’t be affected.
He further noted that people shouldn’t be afraid of using lubricating drops, as all of these recalled eye drops should be off the shelves by now. Moreover, you should continue using your prescription eye drops if your doctor prescribes them to you. If in doubt, ask your pharmacist about any product recalls.
Experts recommend people who use OTC drops check their brand against the eye drop recall list. If you have any of the recalled brands at home, stop using them, as they can increase the risk of infection.
11 Responses
My are very infected from one of the eye drops on the list the FDA recalled.
Why did you not name the 27 drops ? People want to know the names so they can avoid buying those products. Thank you.
I agree
I have been using other eye drops for itchy eyes, dry eyes etc…I have seen my left eye getting worse. I have used Refresh, Pataday and others
Thank you for the article very informative
Since the last recall on eye drops I have been afraid to buy any eye drops
We’re the list.
So the list is on the FDA website on the first page. That gives you the list.
Is Zaditor and Systane ok?
What are the names of the eye drops NOT to use. Please send me the list.
Thank you
My husband’s eyes were in pretty good shape for his age, fast forward 8 months later, suddenly had glaucoma in both his eyes after using the CVS brand re-wet drops, never realizing that something was wrong until after I used the same drops a few months later, then one of my eyes started to mess up as if my retina was trying to tear away from my eye when my eyes were in good shape just four or five months prior to me using the Cvs brand rewet single eye drops, now I’m at a dilemma. How can I prove that it was these drops that’s causing these problems in our eyes. Of course we stop using the drops a long time ago, but I still have them just in case I find out where to have them tested. I need figure out how to prove that these drops messed up our eyes. I didn’t know there was a recall on them. Please reach out if you have information on who I should reach out to. Thank you so much in advance.
Please send me the list of the 27 eyedrops that has been recall.