US Trends

what eyedrops are recalled

Several over‑the‑counter (OTC) and some prescription eyedrops have been recalled in recent years, mainly over contamination risks and possible eye‑infection‑causing bacteria. Below is a plain‑language snapshot of the key types and brands that have been pulled from the market, plus what you should watch for if you still have drops at home.

What “eyedrops are recalled” means in 2026

“Recalled” typically means the company or FDA has asked that a product be removed from store shelves or discarded because of:

  • Contamination (germs, mold, or unsterile manufacturing).
  • Quality‑control problems (failed sterility tests or unsanitary conditions at the factory).

Most of the high‑profile recalls over the last few years have focused on lubricating/artificial‑tears drops , redness‑relief drops, and some glaucoma or allergy drops.

Major recalled brands and products

Lubricating / artificial‑tears drops

These are the most widely recalled types, especially generic/store‑brand artificial tears labeled as “lubricant” or “tears.” Common retailers’ brands that have had products recalled include:

Brand (retailer)| Example product name (type)| Main reason
---|---|---
EzriCare / Delsam Pharma| Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops (15 mL)| Possible contamination with bacteria (e.g., Pseudomonas ‑like pathogens). 57
CVS Health| Lubricant Eye Drops, Mild‑Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops| Contamination risk; FDA asked consumers to stop using lots within expiry. 67
Rite Aid| Lubricant / Multi‑action Relief Drops, Gel Drops| Same contamination concerns; recall due to non‑sterile manufacturing. 710
Walmart (no‑name generic)| Various “Lubricant Eye Drops” or “Artificial Tears”| Often listed as generic/store‑brand artificial tears; part of 2023–2024 FDA‑related recalls. 67

These products are often grouped under phrases like “generic artificial tears” or “MPM/MSM‑type drops”; the FDA and safety‑advocacy sites have advised people to stop using and discard any unknown‑brand artificial‑tears bottles that feel “off” (cloudy, smell odd, or gritty).

Store‑brand “redness relief” and “lubricating tears” drops

In 2023–2024, the FDA and firms including Kilitch Healthcare India Limited and U.S. distributors recalled 26+ eyedrop products because of unsanitary manufacturing conditions at the plant. Examples include:

  • Rugby Lubricating Tears Eye Drops (15 mL).
  • Rugby Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops (15 mL).

The FDA stressed that these drops were supposed to be sterile but could carry a risk of serious eye infections , including vision‑threatening or even vision‑loss outcomes seen in prior outbreaks.

Recent 2025 dry‑eye / lubricant recalls

In early 2025, AvKARE voluntarily recalled over 1.8 million cartons of consumer‑level dry‑eye or lubricant drops after regulators found contamination‑risk issues tied to manufacturing violations. The FDA classified this as a Class II recall , meaning the products could cause temporary or reversible health problems, even though no illnesses were reported at the time.

These recall lots are not always labeled with a familiar national brand; they often appear as private‑label or institutional‑packaged drops (e.g., sold through pharmacies, clinics, or mail‑order services).

What you should do if you own eyedrops

  • Check labels and NDC numbers : Safety‑tracking sites such as GoodRx’s “What Eye Drops Have Been Recalled?” list include tables with brand, product name, and NDC number to help you match what’s on your bottle.
  • Discard any red‑flag products : If your bottle matches any of the brands or generic “artificial tears” drops listed in FDA‑backed recalls, stop using it and throw it away.
  • Watch for symptoms : If you’ve used drops that may have been contaminated and notice increasing redness, pain, blurred vision, discharge, or sensitivity to light , seek an eye‑care professional urgently.
  • Move to trusted brands : For ongoing dry‑eye or allergy relief, many ophthalmologists suggest switching to well‑known, national‑brand products (e.g., Systane, Refresh, or Alrex‑type brands) and checking the FDA’s recall site occasionally for updates.

Where to find the latest recall list

Since new recalls can emerge at any time, the most up‑to‑date place to check is:

  • FDA’s Recalls, Market Withdrawals, & Safety Alerts page (search “eye drops”).
  • Safety‑tracking sites like GoodRx’ “What Eye Drops Have Been Recalled?” article, which maintains a running table of affected brands and NDCs.

If you tell me exactly what brand and NDC number (or retailer) is printed on your bottle, I can help you cross‑check whether it appears in any of the major recent recalls.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.