What Eye Drops Have Been Recalled? A Comprehensive List - GoodRx (2024)

If you’re dealing with dry, irritated eyes, you may rely on artificial tears to find relief. But recent events may have you thinking twice before reaching for your bottle at home.

Over the course of 2023 and 2024, a long list of artificial tear products have been recalled. In some cases, certain products may be linked to vision loss and other serious problems in people using them. As the reasons behind the recalls are being investigated, companies are pulling these products as a precaution to help keep consumers safe.

So, how do you know if your eye drops are on the recall list? And what should you do if you’ve been affected? We cover what you should know before buying or using artificial tears below.

Why are artificial tears being recalled?

Over the course of 2023 and 2024, manufacturers have recalled various artificial tears products. The recalls involve artificial tear eye drops, gels, and ointments.

The first artificial tears recall was announced in early February 2023, involving a small number of products. The recall was due to potential contamination with a drug-resistant bacteria. The FDA received reports of eye infections, vision loss, and other serious events, including death, that may be linked to using these eye drops.

The second artificial tears recall was announced in late October 2023, which included a longer list of products. These products are being recalled due to unsanitary conditions found at the manufacturing facility. There have been a few reports of burning eyes, blurry vision, and vision loss that may be linked to using these eye drops.

Most recently, a third recall that involves lubricant eye ointments was announced in February 2024. The recall was due to sterility concerns noted by the FDA during a recent inspection of the manufacturing facility. So far, the manufacturer hasn’t received reports of serious events from using the products.

What eye drops have been recalled?

The first eye drop recall involved Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops, which is manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare. It’s sold under the EzriCare, LLC and Delsam Pharma brand names. Since the recall was announced, Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Eye Ointment has been added.

You can identify recalled products by their name and National Drug Code (NDC) listed on the packaging, as indicated below:

The second eye drop recall involved artificial tear products manufactured by Kilitch Healthcare India Limited. These products are sold by several different retail stores (such as CVS and Walmart) and online companies. The recall applies to all unexpired products, with expiration dates ranging from November 2023 through September 2025.

Keep in mind that additional products may be added to this list if they’re included as part of the recall. Check the FDA’s website for the most current list of recalled products.

The third recall involves lubricant eye ointments manufactured by Brassica Pharma Pvt. Ltd. The recall applies to certain products with expiration dates from February 2024 to September 2025. These products have been sold nationwide at retailers such as Walmart and CVS.

What should you do if your eye drops have been recalled?

If you’ve been using artificial tears, check the list of recalled products to see if yours is affected by the recall. If your product is on the list, stop using it. And if you notice any vision changes or symptoms of an eye infection, contact your healthcare team right away.

The FDA recommends properly disposing of any affected products. Some retailers, such as CVS and Rite Aid, have made statements that recalled products may be returned for a full refund.

Keep in mind that you should also check the expiration date of any OTC eye products you have on hand before using them and discard any expired items.

If you have any specific questions about recalled products made by Global Pharma Healthcare, you can contact the specific brands by phone or email as indicated in the chart below.

If you have any specific questions about recalled products made by Kilitch Healthcare, you can contact them by email. For specific questions about recalled products made by Brassica Pharma Pvt. Ltd., you can contact them by phone at 833-225-9564 or email at info@brassicapharma.com.

For additional questions on these recalled products (e.g., refund information), retailer or brand contact information is detailed in the chart below.

If you’ve experienced an adverse reaction to one of these products, you should report it to the FDA. You can submit a form online or download a form that you can mail or fax. You can also request a form over the phone by calling 800-332-1088.

What should you look for when purchasing artificial tears?

As a result of the recall, several retailers are pulling affected products off store shelves and removing them from their websites.

But you may still be able to find these recalled products available for purchase in stores or online. Before buying or using artificial tears, check the recalled product list first. Do not buy or use them if they’re on the list. Keep in mind that additional products may be added to the list over time.

When purchasing artificial tears at a local pharmacy, your pharmacist can also be a helpful resource.

How can you stay up to date on eye drop recalls?

There are a few different resources available for staying up to date on which artificial tears products are being recalled. For example, you can check for recent updates on the FDA’s original announcement, which includes a current product listing.

A few other resources include:

• Signing up to receive emails on FDA recalls, withdrawals, and safety alerts

• Searching the FDA’s drug recall database

• Following the FDA’s recall account on X (formerly known as Twitter) for updates