FDA Warns – Eye Drops Sold At CVS, Rite Aid, and Target Could Cause Vision Loss

The FDA is warning consumers to avoid over two dozen eye drop products being sold at major retailers due to them potentially leading to infections and vision loss.

The eye drops were found to be manufactured in unsanitary conditions, resulting in positive bacterial tests.

The bacteria within the eye drops have a chance to harm your vision.

The FDA is warning consumers against using more than two dozen eye drop products sold at major retailers including CVS, Target and Rite Aid that carry a "potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness." https://t.co/3NUjGAx81G

— ABC News (@ABC) October 30, 2023

The folks at Fox Business share more on the story:

The warnings from the FDA were prompted after investigators discovered that there were “insanitary conditions” in the manufacturer’s facility. There were also positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling of critical drug production areas in the facility, the FDA said.

The FDA did not name the manufacturer, but CVS and Cardinal Health noted that the products in question were supplied by Velocity Pharma.

Federal health officials said CVS, Rite Aid and Target are already removing the products from store shelves and their online marketplaces. However, regulators cautioned that “products branded as Leader, Rugby and Velocity may still be available to purchase in stores and online.”

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A spokesperson for CVS told FOX Business in a statement that it immediately stopped the sale of all products supplied by Velocity Pharma within the CVS Health Brand Eye Products portfolio after being notified by the FDA. CVS said that consumers who already purchased it could return the product for a refund.

“We’re committed to ensuring the products we offer are safe, work as intended and satisfy customers, and are fully cooperating with the FDA on this matter,” the CVS spokesperson said.

The FDA is advising consumers to stop using more than two dozen over-the-counter eyedrops products because of a potential risk of eye infection that may lead to partial vision loss or blindness. Target, CVS and Rite Aid are pulling products from shelves.https://t.co/SkvwpmwHcv

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 30, 2023

The Washington Post shares the exact eyedrops that were potentially contaminated

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

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• Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)

If you have any of these eyedrops, it is best to toss them and grab some new ones.

Stay safe out there, folks, and protect your vision!