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Amid a surge of recalls over the past two years, it’s no surprise that people are becoming increasingly cautious when reaching for their over-the-counter eye drops.
The primary concern centers around eye drops manufactured in unsanitary conditions, which elevates the risk of harm, because any drug applied to the eyes may bypass the body’s natural defense system, experts say.
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“These are all primarily over-the-counter lubricating eye drops (commonly referred to as artificial tears) and are used for the symptomatic relief of dry eye symptoms like grittiness, foreign body sensation, dryness, itching, etc.,” said Christopher Starr, M.D., spokesperson for the American Academy of Ophthalmology, in an email.
To help protect your eyes from an infection, here are some expert tips on identifying eye drops that are safe to use, lifestyle changes that can lessen your dependence on OTC solutions, and a glimpse into the FDA’s strategy for addressing the issue.
How to find eye drops that are safe to use
Verify where the product is manufactured. Due to the current a lack of regulations for these OTC products, try to buy eye drops that are manufactured by U.S.-based companies, says Shane Kannarr, an optometrist and clinical researcher at Kannarr Eye Care in Pittsburg, Kansas. He recommends Allergan (Refresh), Bausch + Lomb (Blink and Soothe XP) and Alcon (Systane), to name a few.
The latest eye drop recalls involve generic products distributed by CVS, Cardinal Health, Rite Aid, Target and Walmart. They were manufactured in India by Kilitch Healthcare.
“While the drops recalled are ‘major brands,’ they were all generic or a value [eye] drop,” he says. “I would attempt to focus on more branded products for purchase at this time.”
If you’re ever concerned about a product, don’t use it. Then reach out to the manufacturer or your eye doctor for advice.
Purchase from trusted retailers. Focus on buying eye drops from brick-and-mortar stores. If you choose to shop online, purchase only from trusted sellers. When shopping on Amazon, buy only at the manufacturer’s store rather than from third-party sellers. Just because a product ships from Amazon does not mean it is coming from the manufacturer, advises Sandra Brown, M.D., a board member and medical adviser at the Dry Eye Foundation.
