Recent recalls shine light on issues with eye drops. As questions emerge about eye drops’ effectiveness, some urge a more holistic approach to eye health.
Blink, and you may have missed it: the recent commotion over America’s favorite eye drops.
Over the past year, common over-the-counter (OTC) ocular potions have undergone a PR crisis of epic proportions: contaminated batches, government warnings, and recalls.
But amidst the explosive media hullabaloo lies a deeper debate: Do eye drops even work? Or do they provide only surface-level relief while ignoring the true roots of ocular distress?
FDA Warns Against Almost 30 Major Brands of Eye Drops
As of mid-November, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has listed nearly 30 OTC eye care products that should be avoided due to contamination. Sold at major retailers like Rite Aid and Target, these products can cause “partial vision loss or blindness.” The brands the FDA warns against due to the risk of an eye infection include the following:
- CVS Health.
- Leader (Cardinal Health).
- Rugby (Cardinal Health).
- Rite Aid.
- Target Up & Up.
The FDA found unsanitary conditions and bacteria at the manufacturing facilities for these brands of products. OTC eye care products “pose a potential heightened risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defenses,” according to the FDA.
Several of the recalled eye care products were generics, Dr. Danielle Richardson, a holistic optometrist, told The Epoch Times. “I always recommend patients use brand-name eye drops because there is consistency among the quality, including preservatives used and manufacturing processes,” she said. While not immune to recalls, name brands are less variable than generics.
Risks of Eye Drops Downplayed
“Often, people don’t consider over-the-counter eye drops as having any potential for harm,” Dr. Timothy Janetos, assistant professor of ophthalmology at Northwestern University, told The Epoch Times. “However, we have seen with the recent warning letters that contaminated drops can lead to serious infections and even rarely death,” he said.
Even though such serious issues are rare given the massive size of the artificial tear market, it’s still vital to recognize these products do carry risks and are not entirely harmless, Dr. Janetos noted.
