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Are you aware of the ongoing eye drops recall?
The recall of eye drops has received a lot of attention from many people. Each year, millions of Americans use over-the-counter eye drops to treat common issues such as dryness, redness, and irritation in their eyes. If you are one of them, this article is essential for you.
This year has seen multiple recalls of eye drops. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued another recall, affecting 27 distinct over-the-counter products. This action was taken due to the potential risk of eye infections that could lead to blindness or partial vision loss.
Let’s see this in detail and gain a better understanding of how to file an eye drop recall lawsuit.
Lubricating Eye Drops
If your eyes feel dry or inflamed, seeking immediate relief is a natural desire for everyone. For mild cases of dry eyes, over-the-counter eye drops might be a suitable option if you adhere to the instructions on the packaging.
Most commonly, eye drops are saline solutions infused with medication to treat various eye issues. They can effectively lubricate dry eyes, treat lazy eyes, and delay the onset of glaucoma. Nowadays, eye drops are more advanced than ever.
When your eyes fail to produce sufficient moisture naturally, lubricating eye drops can help restore it. These drops utilize lubricants and components found in natural tears to moisturize the eye’s surface, offering relief by reducing dryness and irritation.
Given that many lubricating eye drops have been recalled, making a thoughtful choice in selecting eye drops is essential for people.
Let’s explore the reasons for eye drop recalls below.
What is the Reason for the Eye Drops Recall?
The US Food and Drug Administration has issued a recall on 27 over-the-counter eye drop products. The recall was issued because of safety concerns including the risk of eye infection.
Following an alert from the FDA on October 27, 2023, Kilitch Healthcare India Limited voluntarily recalled the eye drops on November 15, 2023. All lot numbers with expiration dates between November 2023 and September 2025 were associated with the recalled eye drops.
The recall was initiated in response to unsanitary conditions and adverse bacterial test findings discovered by agency investigators during environmental sampling of crucial drug production sites.
Ophthalmic products meant for internal use carry a higher risk of injury since they block some of the body’s inherent protective mechanisms. Eye infection symptoms include
- Pain or discomfort in the eyes
- Yellow, green, or clear discharge from the eye
- Redness of the eye or eyelid
- Sensation of something in the eye
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Swelling of the eyes
- Blurry vision
Regarding this recall, Kilitch Healthcare India Limited has not been notified of any adverse incidents. However, the FDA has advised customers, distributors, and retailers who possess any recalled product to check the product’s distribution.
The affected eye drops brands are CVS Health, Walmart, Leader, Rugby, Rite Aid, Target Up & Up, and Velocity Pharma.
CVS, Rite Aid, and Target were taking the eye drops off of their shelves and websites; a large number of them are probably no longer available in stores.
What Brands of Eye Drops are Recalled?
The contaminated eye drops recall 2023 list is here:
CVS Health
Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ML (Single/Twin Pack) (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% W/V)
Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (Single/Twin Pack) (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1.0% W/V)
Multi Action Relief Drops 15 ml (Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% w/v, Povidone 0.6%w/v, Tetrahydrozoline 0.05% Eye Drops)
Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15ml (Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4% w/v)
Lubricant Gel Drops 10 ml (Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4%, Propylene glycol 0.3% Eye Drops)
Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (Single/Twin Pack) (Propylene glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v)
Walmart
Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drops 10ml (Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4%, Propylene glycol 0.3% Eye Drops)
Leader
Eye Irritation Relief 15ml (Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% w/v, Povidone 0.6%w/v, Tetrahydrozoline 0.05% Eye Drops)
Dry Eye Relief 10ml (Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4%, Propylene glycol 0.3% Eye Drops)
Dry Eye Relief 15ml (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1.0% W/V)
Lubricant Eye Drops 15ml (Single/Twin Pack) (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% W/V)
Lubricant Eye Drops 10ml (Propylene glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v)
Rugby
Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 15ml (Dextran 70- 0.1% w/v, Glycerin 0.2% w/v, Hypromellose 0.3% w/v)
Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (Polyvinyl alcohol Eye Drops 1.4% w/v)
Rite Aid
Multi-Action Relief Drops 15ml (Polyvinyl alcohol 0.5% w/v, Povidone 0.6%w/v, Tetrahydrozoline 0.05% Eye Drops)
Lubricating Gel Drops 10ml (Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4%, Propylene glycol 0.3% Eye Drops)
Lubricant Eye Drops 10ml (twin pack) (Propylene glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v)
Lubricant Gel Drops 15ml (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 1.0% W/V)
Lubricant Eye Drops 15ml (twin pack) (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% W/V)
Target Up & Up
High Performance Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (Single/Twin Pack) (Polyethylene glycol 400 0.4%, Propylene glycol 0.3% Eye Drops)
Dry Eye Relief 15ml (Twin Pack) (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Eye Drops 0.5% W/V)
Velocity
Lubricant Eye Drop 10ml (Triple Pack) (Propylene glycol Eye Drops 0.6% w/v)
What Should You Do If You Have a Recalled Eye Drop?
The FDA advised customers to stop using the recalled eye drops and return any of the mentioned ophthalmic products to the store where they were originally purchased.
Additionally, the FDA advised anybody having symptoms or indications of an eye infection following the use of drops to contact their physician or seek emergency medical attention, as well as to dispose of the product appropriately.
Healthcare practitioners were advised to notify the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program of any adverse events or issues with the quality of any medication.
This year already, big eye drop recalls have happened. Just take a look at that recall below to get a clear understanding.
MSM Eye Drops Recall
On August 22, 2023, the FDA will alert customers to the possibility of bacterial, fungal, or both contamination while purchasing and using Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair.
The FDA advises customers to dispose of these products as it specifies. When using tainted eye drops, one may have a slight to serious infection that could endanger their vision and possibly even their lives.
Dr. Berne’s and LightEyez eye drops contain methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) as an active component. These items are illicitly sold pharmaceuticals that have not received FDA approval. As of right now, no legally available ophthalmic medications have MSM as an active component.
The recalled products are;
Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution. Lots: All
LightEyez MSM Eye Drops–Eye Repair. Lots: All
Delsam and Ezricare Eye Drop Recall Lawsuit
In May 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 81 cases of VIM-GES-CRPA, an uncommon drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, in 18 states. This bacterium poses a serious threat to individuals with weakened immune systems and was unknown in the United States until last year.
Several patients have been identified as having frequent exposure to specific types of artificial tears. Four individuals required eyeball removal surgery, and 14 people have already lost their vision.
The artificial tears eye drops recall took place at the beginning of February in response to the Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Eye drop recall lawsuits are now being filed against EzriCare and Delsam eye drops by individuals who developed eye infections after using these bacterially contaminated products. Despite months of antibiotic therapy and surgical interventions, some plaintiffs cannot restore their lost eyesight.
What Eye Drops Have Been Recalled in the Past?
EzriCare artificial tears. Lots: NDC 79503-0101-15 and UPC 3 79503 10115 7.
Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears. Lots: NDC 72570-121-15 and UPC 3 72570 12115 8
Delsam Pharma Artificial Eye Ointment. Lots: NDC 72570-122-35 and UPC code 3 72570 12235 3.
Brimonidine Tartrate Ophthalmic Solution, 0.15%. Lots: 60505-0564-1, 60505-0564-2, and 60505-0564-3.
Clear Eyes Once Daily, Eye Allergy Itch Relief. Lots: 114349, 117396, 0120128, 114371, and 123781.
Purely Soothing 15% MSM Drops. Lots: 2203PS01, UPC 7 31034 91379 9, 1808051, UPC 7 31034 91382 9.
How to Prevent Bacterial Eye Infections?
Wash your hands with soap before and after using eye drops
Better choose single-use eye drops
Avoid touching the eye drop bottle’s tip with your hands.
Keep the eye drop bottle’s tip away from your eyes and eyelids.
Do not use eye drops that reduce redness
Do not share your eye drops with anyone.
Before going to bed, take off your eye makeup
If you are using contact lenses, remove the lenses before using eye drops.
What Should You Do If You Have Any Recalled Eye Drops?
Stop using the product immediately. If you have any adverse effects due to eye drop contamination, don’t hesitate to file eye drop recall lawsuit and seek medical attention immediately.
If you planned to take legal action against the eye drop maker, keep all documents, including receipts and labels. You might be eligible for compensation for your losses if you used any of the recently recalled eye drops and experienced symptoms or adverse effects.
It’s crucial that you contact a medical practitioner and undergo a professional examination right away if you suspect you may have been harmed by these products. Following your evaluation, a personal injury attorney can assist in analyzing your case and formulating the most effective strategy.
A skilled attorney can help you bring a negligence action against the eye drop company, using your medical records as supporting documentation. As a medical company, they have a duty of care to their clients and may be held accountable for product liability for any negligence or breach that results in harm or fatality.
To wrap up,
We use eye drops to protect ourselves from eye infections, and for this, the eye drops must be effective and free from dangerous chemicals. However, if these eye drops become contaminated, what should we do?
This eye drop recall lawsuit article underscores the importance of eye drop safety and consumer trust. Stay safe, and stay connected for more updates.
