Do not use eye drops from these brands, FDA warns

The Food and Drug Administration issued an alert Monday listing 27 over-the-counter eye drops that can cause eye infections — leading to partial vision loss or blindness.

These eye drop brands include brands sold by retailers throughout California, such as CVS Health and Target.

The FDA recalled the products on October 25 after investigations found unsanitary conditions at the factory that produces the eye drops. Production areas in the facilities tested positive for bacterial contamination.

“Ophthalmic drugs pose a potential increased risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defense mechanisms,” the FDA said.

The agency says it has not received any reports of customers becoming infected, but advises people not to purchase these eye drops or to stop using them and to talk to a doctor if they experience symptoms of an eye infection. Symptoms include itching, pain, discharge or blurred vision, according to the Mayo Clinic.

Which eye drops are being recalled?

According to the FDA, the following brands are being recalled.

CFS Health:

• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single and double packs)
• Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single and double packs)
• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml
• Lubricating gel drops 10 ml
• Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single and double packs)
• Mild Moderately Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml

Rugby:

• Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15 ml
• Polyvinyl alcohol 1.4% Lubricating eye drops 15 ml

Leader:

• Dry eye relief 10 ml
• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single and double packs)
• Dry eye relief 15 ml
• Relief of eye irritation 15 ml

Rite Aid:

• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml
• Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml

• Soft Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 ml

• Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml

• Lubricating gel drops 10 ml

• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml

Goal:

• Up&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30 ml

• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eyes 15 ml

• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eyes 30 ml

Speed ​​Pharma LLC:

Walmart:

According to the alert, Target, CVS and Rite Aid have removed the recalled products from their stores, but recalled products from Leader, Rugby and Velocity brands may still be available in stores and should be avoided.