27 eye drops from retailers in Idaho can cause vision loss, FDA warns. See the recall

Hanh Truong
·2 min read

The Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on Monday listing 27 over-the-counter eye drops that could cause eye infections — leading to partial vision loss or blindness.

These eye drop brands include those sold by retailers across Washington, such as CVS Health and Target.

The FDA recalled the products on Oct. 25 after an investigation discovered unsanitary conditions in the facility that manufactures the eye drops. Production areas in the facilities tested positive for bacterial contamination.

“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.

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

Which eye drops are recalled?

The following brands are recalled, according to the FDA.

CVS Health:

  • Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (single and twin packs)

  • Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (single and twin packs)

  • Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml

  • Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml

  • Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single and twin packs)

  • Mild Moderate 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 twin packs)

  • Dry Eye Relief 15 ml

  • Eye Irritation Relief 15 ml

Rite Aid:

  • Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml

  • Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml

  • 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

  • Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 30 ml

Velocity Pharma LLC:

  • Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml

Walmart:

  • Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml

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