Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration has recalled over 20 different eyedrops due to compromises in sterility and the possibility of bacterial infections. Products include over-the-counter drops and gels from CVS Health, Leader and Rugby from Cardinal Health, Rite Aid, Target Up & Up, and Velocity Pharma.
Several manufacturing plants were found to have unsanitary conditions, with positive bacterial tests from product samples. Because the eyes have a limited inflammatory response with its own immune system, bacteria are much more easily able to enter and infect the body through the eyes. Earlier this year, for instance, EzriCare Artificial Tears and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears were found to be infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a strain of bacteria that was linked to vision loss in 14 people and four deaths.
The FDA recommends that the eyedrops be returned to a drug take-back site for proper disposal.
For a full list of all recalled eyedrops, see the FDA’s list here.
