If you used eye drops that are included in a recall or safety warning, stop using them, check the exact product and package details against the notice, and follow that notice’s instructions. If you have symptoms that could indicate an eye infection, seek medical care immediately. Do not start a substitute drop or self-treatment without advice from a healthcare professional.
What to do now
- Stop using the drops if the product is confirmed recalled or a safety alert says not to use it.
- Identify the bottle. Record the brand, full product name, lot number and National Drug Code (NDC), if shown. Keep the package available so you can read its labels accurately.
- Compare those details with the exact recall notice. A notice may cover particular products or lots, or all lots within their expiry period. A brand name alone is not enough to establish whether your bottle is included.
- Follow the notice’s return or disposal directions. Instructions differ by recall; do not assume every product should be handled the same way.
- Contact a healthcare professional if you are concerned about exposure. The FDA sources cited here do not set out a universal test or preventive treatment for people without symptoms.
Eye drops must be sterile to reduce infection risk, according to the FDA’s consumer guidance on eye drops. That is why a specific warning matters, but using an affected product does not by itself establish that you have an infection.
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When to seek medical care
If you have signs or symptoms of an eye infection after using a product named in a warning, contact a healthcare provider or seek medical care immediately. The FDA’s October 27, 2023 warning gives that advice for the products covered by that alert.
The FDA’s general guidance says to stop using drops if a problem occurs, including eye discharge, pain, vision changes or discomfort, and to talk to a doctor about unexpected side effects. These symptoms do not let you diagnose the cause yourself; a clinician can assess what care is appropriate. Do not try to treat a suspected infection with leftover antibiotics, flushing, or a different eye drop unless a healthcare professional advises it.
#1 Best Overall
- Visine red eye hydrating comfort drops: Contains 1% polyethylene glycol 400 for redness and irritation relief; works in just 30 seconds; effective and convenient to have on hand when needed
- Hydrating eye drops: Dual-powered formula relieves redness of the eye due to minor eye irritations for the temporary relief of burning, irritation, and discomfort due to dryness of the eye or exposure to wind or sun
- Needed relief: Don’t let irritation and discomfort stop you from living your best life; apply these moisturizing eye drops when needed to give you relief, anywhere and everywhere; on-the-go approved
- Backed by 65 years of expertise: For the relief of redness of the eye and protection against further irritation; Visine brings fast-acting relief when you need and want it; FSA/HSA eligible without prescription
- Convenience: Redness-reducing eye drops whenever you need it; adults & children 6 years of age & over: put 1 or 2 drops in the affected eye(s) up to 4 times a day; children under 6 years of age: consult a doctor, children under 2 years of age: do not use
How to check whether your bottle is included
Use the product-specific notice rather than an old roundup or a search result that mentions only the brand. Match the identifying details printed on your bottle to the notice, paying particular attention to the product name, NDC, lot coverage and expiry language.
- Product and brand: Check the exact name and brand shown on the bottle or carton.
- NDC and other package identifiers: Compare the full identifier where the notice provides one.
- Lot and expiry scope: Look for wording that limits the recall to listed lots or covers all lots within expiry.
- Notice status and date: Confirm whether the notice is current, completed or otherwise updated, and follow its present instructions.
For example, FDA’s February 2, 2023 posting of a company announcement covered all lots within expiry of Artificial Tears distributed under EzriCare and Delsam Pharma. The notice described a possible association under investigation with a multistate cluster of VIM-GES carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections and advised consumers to stop using the product. It recorded 55 adverse-event reports, including eye infections, permanent vision loss and a death with a bloodstream infection. Those figures belong to that dated notice; they are not a current estimate of risk for every recalled product. See the FDA-posted Global Pharma Healthcare recall announcement.
Rank #2
- EYE DROPS FOR RED EYES: LUMIFY redness reliever eye drops significantly reduce redness to help reveal your eyes' natural radiance. From the eye care experts at Bausch + Lomb, LUMIFY works in 1 minute & lasts up to 8 hours.
- LUMIFY IS DIFFERENT: LUMIFY eye drops are one of a kind. LUMIFY is the only over-the-counter drop that contains the active ingredient brimonidine, which works to selectively target redness, alleviating some of the potential side effects associated with other redness relievers, when used as directed.
- FDA APPROVED: LUMIFY contains no bleach or dyes and is FDA approved. LUMIFY eye drops significantly reduce redness to help eyes appear whiter, brighter, and more radiant. It’s the #1 Eye Doctor recommended redness reliever (based on IQVIA survey)
- WHAT CAUSES EYE REDNESS? Eye redness, unrelated to infection or injury, is a common condition that can be caused by eye fatigue, dryness or dust, overexposure to the sun, allergies, swimming in chlorinated pools, or contact lenses.
- AMAZING LOOKING EYES: We understand how important eyes are. And despite all the eye creams, mascara, eye-liners and shadows, if your eyes are red, you won’t look your best.
A separate, product-specific example is the Rugby Laboratories recall of Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops, NDC 0536-1325-94, and Lubricating Tears Eye Drops (Dextran/Hypromellose 0.1%/0.3%), NDC 0536-1282-94. The notice recorded three adverse-event reports, including reports of blurry vision, vision loss and burning eyes. FDA’s page now says the recall is completed and terminated; the company notice allowed consumers to return the products to the place of purchase. These details apply to those products and that notice, not to other recalled drops. See the FDA notice for the Rugby eye drops.
Do not rely on an old recall list
The FDA’s general eye-drop guidance page labels its alert list historical and includes notices through December 2024. It is not a complete live inventory of recalls. As of October 4, 2026, verify your bottle against the current product-specific FDA notice before concluding that it is or is not affected. FDA’s eye-drop guidance is a useful starting point, but the exact notice determines a recall’s scope and handling instructions.
Rank #3
- DRY EYE RELIEF: SYSTANE ULTRA Lubricating Eye Drops help deliver extended protection and high-performance dry eye symptom relief that lasts
- EXTENDED PROTECTION: Get extended protection for relief from dry eyes that lasts with SYSTANE ULTRA Lubricant Eye Drops
- HIGH PERFORMANCE RELIEF: SYSTANE lubricant eye drops provide high-performance, long-lasting dry eye relief. Fits into your daily eye care routine
- FAST ACTING HYDRATION: Moisture-rich lubricant eye drops provide fast-acting hydration at home, work, while traveling, or in dry indoor air
- LUBRICATED & REFRESHED FEEL: Helps your eyes feel lubricated and refreshed with these eye drops for dry eyes
Report a problem
You can report a suspected adverse event or product-quality issue to FDA through MedWatch. FDA’s consumer guidance describes online reporting and a downloadable form that can be faxed to 1-800-FDA-0178. Reporting helps document a concern; it does not replace medical care when symptoms are present.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- DRY EYE RELIEF: SYSTANE ULTRA Lubricating Eye Drops help deliver extended protection and high-performance dry eye symptom relief that lasts
- EXTENDED PROTECTION: Get extended protection for relief from dry eyes that lasts with SYSTANE ULTRA Lubricant Eye Drops
- HIGH PERFORMANCE RELIEF: SYSTANE lubricant eye drops provide high-performance, long-lasting dry eye relief. Fits into your daily eye care routine
- FAST ACTING HYDRATION: Moisture-rich lubricant eye drops provide fast-acting hydration at home, work, while traveling, or in dry indoor air
- LUBRICATED & REFRESHED FEEL: Helps your eyes feel lubricated and refreshed with these eye drops for dry eyes
Rank #4
- EYE DROPS FOR ALLERGIES AND EYE ITCHING: Opcon A eye drops combine an antihistamine with a redness reliever to help relieve itchy, red, irritated eyes. Temporary relief from itching & redness caused by pollen, ragweed, grass, animal hair & dander
- RELIEF FOR ITCHY EYES : These allergy relief eye drops are clinically proven to provide effective relief of redness & itching caused by allergens. These allergy eye drops can be used up to four times a day to give temporary relief from symptoms
- BAUSCH +LOMB EYE DROPS: Whether you have dry eyes, red eyes, itchy eyes, or all of the above, we offer a variety of options for your needs, including lubricating & preservative-free eye drops
- EYE CARE EXPERTS: For over 150 years, Bausch + Lomb has focused on innovation & quality in our eye care products, from contact lenses & solutions to eye drops, ointments, eye vitamins & more
- EYE DROPS & MORE: Bausch + Lomb makes eye care products you can trust, from contact lens solution to eye drops, vitamins, & ointments to help make sure your eyes feel healthy, moisturized, & protected
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