Lots of over-the-counter lubricating eyedrops and artificial tears faced recall in 2023, due to infection and unsafe manufacturing practices.
This year, we’ve seen a large number of recalls in ophthalmologic products, said Gary Novack, a clinical professor with the UC Davis Health Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences in Davis, Calif.
Novack said, Individuals who frequently use eye drops to fend off dry eyes or help with contact lenses should be aware of these recalls, and take steps to protect themselves.
Now that the public health emergency phase of the pandemic is over, the FDA is conducting more inspections and they are finding many numbers of issues at manufacturing plants.
The recalls began in February with three brands taken off shelves, including one connected to serious infections, vision loss and four deaths.
It’s very rare to get infections from eye drops. But what we learned this year is that it could happen, Novack said. It’s serious not only for potentially losing vision, but in some rare cases patients developed systemic infections and died.
Additional recalls followed in August, October and November, leaving customers confused about whether any over-the-counter eye drops are safe to use.
Products like eye drops are mostly tricky to manufacture because they need to be sterile and germ-free, and they must be bottled in containers which are also sterile and also there have been an issue for many products this year.
Novack said that any eye drops an individual finds on their pharmacy or supermarket shelf should be considered safe, since the product hasn’t been recalled.
Individuals need to be more cautious if buying online, but the recalled products should have also been removed from online stores, Novack added.
Always remember that most of the eye drops recalled in 2023 aren’t familiar brand names, Novack added. They tended to be either store brands or little-known brands.
He also said that, no prescription eye drops have been recalled. Individuals using drops containing antibiotics, steroids or medications shouldn’t worry about the recalls, and continue using their drops as prescribed.
People who find eye drops in their medicine cabinet should check to see if they’re expired, and throw them out if they are, Novack said.
They should check with their pharmacy, the manufacturer or the FDA’s recall website to see whether the product in their possession has been taken off the shelf.
Novack highlighted that, while rare, eye problems resulting from the use of contaminated eye drops can be dangerous.
If there is any sign or symptom of an eye infection or any use of products that have been recalled, is a serious issue and patients should take this seriously, said Novack.
https://www.medicinenet.com/eye_drop_recalls_what_you_need_to_know/news.htm
