You might think they’re Bausch & Lomb eye drops. The FDA says they’re dangerous fakes

David J. Neal
·2 min read

Three brands of eye drops that can be bought online not only haven’t been approved for sale in the United States, but an FDA warning says they’re fakes and one has tested positive for “a group of bacteria that could result in an antibiotic-resistant infection.”

The FDA warning concerns Rebright, South Moon and FivFivGo, each of which is packaged similarly to Bausch & Lomb’s Lumify eye drops. The bacteria the FDA found in South Moon is the Burkholderia cepacia complex. The bacteria wasn’t found in Rebright.

As noted in the massive Killitch Healthcare eye drops recall that touched Walmart, Target and CVS: “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 packaging for Rebright eye drops looks similar to that of Bausch & Lomb’s Lumify eye drops. But, unlike some products in lookalike packaging, this isn’t just a generic knockoff, the FDA says. FDA
The packaging for Rebright eye drops looks similar to that of Bausch & Lomb’s Lumify eye drops. But, unlike some products in lookalike packaging, this isn’t just a generic knockoff, the FDA says. FDA

Also, Rebright, South Moon and FivFivGo might just be liquid. Unlike Walgreens brand acetaminophen sold in packaging that resembles Tylenol but has the same active ingredient, the FDA says Rebright and South Moon lack Lumify’s active ingredient, brimonidine tartrate.

Bausch & Lomb’s Lumify eye drops FDA
Bausch & Lomb’s Lumify eye drops FDA

The FDA said it wasn’t able to get FivFivGo samples.

The FDA warning includes FivFivGo eye drops. FDA
The FDA warning includes FivFivGo eye drops. FDA

The agency said “the origin of these products is currently unclear,” but “South Moon is labeled as made by Shantou Cross-border Premium Products E-Commerce Co. Ltd. in China.”

No adverse-event reports finger any of the lookalikes, “however, the agency has received reports related to possibly fake Lumify, including product quality concerns, eye irritation, pain and infection.”

Any problems should be reported first to a medical professional. Then, reach out to the FDA’s MedWatch program, either by filling out an online report or download and print out a reporting form, then fax it to 800-332-0178.

The FDA issued a warning about South Moon eye drops FDA
The FDA issued a warning about South Moon eye drops FDA