There is a reason they have been recalled.
Numerous over-the-counter lubricating eye drops and artificial tears confronted recalls in 2023 due to contamination and compromised manufacturing practices.
Gary Novack, a clinical professor at UC Davis Health Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Sciences, alerted the public to these recalls, stressing the importance for those reliant on eye drops for dry eyes or contact lenses to stay informed and take precautions.
Novack attributed the surge in recalls to intensified FDA inspections following the conclusion of the pandemic’s health emergency phase. He highlighted the seriousness of these recalls, mentioning that infections, vision loss, and tragically, fatalities, had been associated with certain brands.
Highlighting the challenges in manufacturing sterile eye products, Novack underscored the necessity for sterility in both the eye drops and their packaging.
He advised consumers to trust eye drops still available on store shelves, presuming their safety as they hadn’t been recalled. However, caution was advised for online purchases, although recalled products should have been removed from digital stores as well.
Novack clarified that the majority of recalled eye drops were lesser-known or store brands, reassuring the public that major pharmaceutical brands such as Alcon, Bausch and Lomb, Allergan, and Johnson & Johnson hadn’t faced recalls.
He emphasized that prescription eye drops, especially those containing antibiotics or steroids, remained unaffected by the recalls and should be continued as prescribed.
Novack recommended checking for expired eye drops in home cabinets and discarding them if found. Additionally, he urged individuals to verify recalls via pharmacies, manufacturers, or the FDA website to ensure their eye drop product wasn’t among those recalled.
While acknowledging the rarity, Novack underscored the seriousness of eye problems stemming from contaminated eye drops, advising individuals to take any signs of infection seriously and seek prompt attention.
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