WASHINGTON — U.S. health regulators are warning consumers not to use more than two dozen varieties of over-the-counter eyedrops because of the risk of infections that could lead to blindness.
The Food and Drug Administration advisory applies to lubricating drops sold by six companies, including CVS Health, Target, Rite Aid and Cardinal Health. Consumers should stop using the products immediately and avoid purchasing any that remain on pharmacy and store shelves, the FDA said in a statement Friday.
The agency asked the companies to recall their products last week, because FDA inspectors found unsanitary conditions and bacteria at the facility producing the drops. The FDA did not disclose the location of the factory or when it was inspected.
No injuries related to the products had been reported at the time of the announcement, but the FDA encouraged doctors and patients to submit cases through the agency’s online reporting system.
Earlier this year, federal officials linked an outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria to eyedrops 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 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
After the products were recalled in February, health inspectors visited the manufacturing plant in India that made the eyedrops and uncovered problems with how they were made and tested, including inadequate sterility measures.
Here are the recalled 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:
-Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)