Beware of Contaminated Over-the-Counter Eye Drops: A Public Health Alert

If you have any of these 38 over-the-counter eye drops, stop using them immediately and discard them. These products could be tainted with bacteria, potentially leading to severe eye infections, vision loss, blindness, or worse.

Dr. Audrey Tai's Important Update on Recalled Eye Drops

I'm Dr. Audrey Tai, a board-certified and fellowship-trained refractive and cornea surgeon. Today, I'll provide you with the most current list of over-the-counter eye drops that may have bacterial contamination, as well as those mentioned in a recent FDA warning letter.

FDA's Expanded Recall List

Earlier this year, in February, August, and October, the FDA recalled several eye drops due to bacterial contamination risks. These contaminants could cause vision loss, blindness, or even death. Recently, the FDA has expanded its recall list and issued a new warning letter.

Current List of Recalled Eye Drops

1. EzriCare Artificial Tears

   • Associated with severe eye infections in 55 patients, including four deaths. Infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria, Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

2. Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops

   • Voluntarily recalled by Pharmedica USA due to non-sterility. No reported illnesses or infections as of March 3, 2023.

3. Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops

   • Dr. Berne's MSM Drops (5% and 15% solutions) found to be contaminated with bacteria and fungi. Two adverse events reported as of August 26, 2023.

4. 28 Over-the-Counter Dry Eye Products

   • Marketed under brands like CVS Health, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart’s Equate, Cardinal Health, Rugby, and Velocity Pharma. Products share suppliers and manufacturing facilities, leading to potential widespread contamination. Manufacturer KCK Healthcare India Limited has issued a voluntary recall.

Amazon's Unapproved Eye Drops

On November 13, 2023, the FDA warned Amazon about selling unapproved eye drops. In response, Amazon removed the following products:

• Similasan Pink Eye Relief
• The Goodbye Company Pink Eye Drops
• Optique 1 Eye Drops
• TRP Company Eye Drops
• DR Natural Eye Floaters Relief
• Mazella Sophia Chamomile Herbal Eye Drops

How to Protect Yourself

Eye drops must be sterile to prevent infections, unlike oral and skincare products. Here are some safety tips:

• Stick to popular, FDA-approved brands like Refresh or Systane.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions and never use expired eye drops.
• Avoid sharing eye drops or reusing single-use vials.

Recognize the Symptoms of Infection

If you notice blurry vision, eye discharge, eye pain, redness, a feeling of something in your eye, or increased sensitivity to light, contact your eye doctor immediately.

Stay Informed and Safe

For more information, check out my top recommended eye drops and at-home dry eye treatment products in my videos. If you found this information helpful, please like and subscribe to support more content on eye health and surgery. Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn at Dr. Audrey Tai to learn more about my practice.