The Scary Reason You Should Stop Using These Eye Drops ASAP–They Could Cause Blindness, FDA Says

The FDA has issued a warning that 26 over-the-counter eye drop products sold at retailers across the country pose a risk of eye infection and even vision loss or blindless—and they may still be on shelves.

If you experience allergies and dry eyes during the winter months and frequently purchase drops to help with the issue, it’s important to check any products in your possession and dispose of any that this warning pertains to. Find all of the details below.

Eye drops sold at CVS, Target, Walmart, and Rite Aid could cause vision loss

According to the FDAs warning, many eye drops sold over-the-counter at stores like CVS, Target, Walmart, and Rite-Aid were manufactured in "insanitary conditions" and present a "potential risk of eye infections that could result in partial vision loss or blindness." Yikes!

The FDA notes that although these are "intended to be sterile," agency investigators found positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling in the facility in which these products were manufactured. That means these eye drops "pose a potential heightened risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defenses." For this reason, they recommended that the manufacturer recall all of the lots of these products. Recalls have since been issued by Harvard Drug Group LLC, Cardinal Health Inc., and Kilitch Healthcare India Limited.

This warning pertains to products from the following brands:

• CVS Health

• Leader (Cardinal Health)

• Rugy (Cardinal Health)

• Rite Aid

• Target Up&Up

You can find the full list of impacted products here.

If you are in possession of any of these products, the FDA urges you to stop using them immediately and to dispose of them. Although some of these products may still be on shelves at certain stores, you should refrain from purchasing them.

Luckily, no reports of eye infections have stemmed from these products thus far. However, it's always important to take recalls and warnings like this seriously in order to keep you and your family safe and healthy.

People with allergies should also be aware of a recent recall on sinus spray. SheFinds is dedicated to keeping readers in the know on these issues. Stay safe!

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