Yes, the FDA is warning against using eye drops from several brands due to risk of infection

Many people use eye drops to help treat certain eye issues, such as allergies, dryness, irritation and redness.

Recent online search trends show that some people are wondering if the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a new warning about eye drops sold in the U.S.

THE QUESTION

Is the FDA warning people to stop using some eye drops?

THE SOURCES

• U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

THE ANSWER

Yes, the FDA is warning people to stop using 27 different types of eye drops due to risk of infection.

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WHAT WE FOUND

The FDA is warning people to stop buying and using 27 different types of over-the-counter eye drops that carry a potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness. These eye drops are sold by several major brands, including CVS Health, Target, Rite Aid, Walmart, Cardinal Health and Velocity Pharma. You can find the complete list of the products below.

In an Oct. 27 statement, the FDA said its inspectors found unsanitary conditions and bacteria at the manufacturing facility producing the eye drops, but did not disclose the location of the factory or when it was inspected. The agency asked the manufacturer to recall all lots marketed under the following brands:

• CVS Health
• Leader (Cardinal Health)
• Rugby (Cardinal Health)
• Rite Aid
• Target Up & Up
• Velocity Pharma
• Walmart

The FDA says CVS, Rite Aid, Target and Walmart are removing the eye drops from their store shelves and websites. Products branded as Leader, Rugby and Velocity may still be available in stores and online and should not be purchased.

“These products are intended to be sterile. Ophthalmic drug products pose a potential heightened risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defenses,” the FDA said on its website.

People who have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using these products should talk to their healthcare provider or seek medical care immediately. As of Oct. 31, no injuries related to the products have been reported, but the FDA is encouraging doctors and patients to submit cases through MedWatch, the agency’s medical product safety reporting program.

Earlier this year in February, federal officials linked an outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria to eye drops from two companies: EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. More than 80 people in the U.S. tested positive for eye infections from the rare bacterial strain, according to the most recent update issued by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in May.

After those products were recalled, health inspectors visited the manufacturing plant in India that made the eye drops and uncovered problems with how they were made and tested, including inadequate sterility measures.

List of eye drop products

CVS Health

• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)
• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
• Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single pack) 
• Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml
• Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml
• Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single pack)
• Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)
• Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)

Rugby (Cardinal Health)

• Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15 ml    
• Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml

Leader (Cardinal Health)

• Dry Eye Relief 10 ml
• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)
• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
• Dry Eye Relief 15 ml
• Eye Irritation Relief 15 ml

Rite Aid

• Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
• Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)
• Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 ml
• Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml
• Lubricating Gel Drops 10 ml
• Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml

Target

• Up&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30 ml
• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15 ml (single pack)
• Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30 ml (twin pack)

Velocity Pharma LLC

• Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)

Walmart

• Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

This story is also available in Spanish / Lee este artículo también en español: Sí, la FDA está advirtiendo sobre el uso de gotas para los ojos de varias marcas por riesgo de infección