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Freedom251 › Blog › eye drops

What to Do If Your Eye Drops Are Part of a Recall

By Freedom251 Team · · 3 min read

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Check the exact product and lot number against the official recall notice. If that notice tells you to stop using the drops, stop; then follow its directions for return or disposal. If you have symptoms after using them, contact a health professional promptly rather than switching to a different drop on your own.

How to check whether your eye drops are included

Start with the current notice from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the company named in the notice. Compare the details on your bottle and carton with the affected-product information. A matching brand name alone does not establish that your particular bottle is part of a recall.

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  • Product name and brand: Check the full name, not just the brand.
  • Package and type: Compare the form of the drops and the package size or count.
  • Lot or batch number: Match the code printed on the bottle, carton, or label to any affected lot listed.
  • Expiration date and product codes: Check these if the notice provides them, including UPC or NDC.
  • Other identifiers: Compare any product photo or distribution details in the notice.

Keep the bottle and packaging while you check the notice or contact the seller or manufacturer. FDA consumer guidance explains that recall notices can identify products using details such as lot numbers, expiration dates, product codes, and distribution information: FDA: What to Do When Your Medicine Is Recalled.

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For current information, check FDA’s drug recall information and Enforcement Report, as well as the company’s notice. Some recalls may not receive broad public notification. FDA’s eye-drop safety page links to alerts and advises consumers to check whether their product is included. Its alert list is a route to notices, not proof that a particular product is currently recalled.

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What to do with a bottle that matches the notice

Follow the instructions in the specific notice for the product and lot you have. Eye-drop recalls do not all use the same instructions: a notice may tell consumers to stop using the product and may explain how to return it or seek a refund. Do not assume a refund is available or choose a disposal method unless the notice or applicable official guidance says so. If the directions are unclear, contact the company using details in the notice, or ask a pharmacist or clinician.

Do not apply general advice about some other medicine recalls to a specific eye-drop warning. FDA notes that actions can vary by recall and that stopping some medicines can itself be harmful. For eye drops, follow the applicable eye-drop notice and ask a health professional if you are unsure what to do.

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  • Lasting Relief from One Drop: Formulated with Propylene Glycol (0.6%), it provides up to 8 hours of dry eye relief. Systane COMPLETE Preservative-Free helps relieve common dry eye symptoms like sore, watery, stinging, burning, tired, dry, and irritated eyes. For mild to moderate dry eye sufferers who want dependable hydration
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If you have symptoms after using the drops

Contact a health professional promptly if you have eye pain, discharge, vision changes, discomfort, or another concerning problem after using the drops. FDA advises stopping eye drops if problems such as discharge, pain, vision changes, or discomfort occur, and talking with a health professional about safe and effective treatment. Its EzriCare warning specifically said that people with signs or symptoms of eye infection should contact a health care provider or seek medical care immediately. Do not simply substitute another eye drop; ask a clinician or pharmacist what treatment is appropriate.

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Eye drops are intended to be sterile because they are applied directly to the eye. The FDA states: “Any drug used in the eyes must be sterile to reduce the risk of infection.”

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How to report a problem

Address medical care first. Then, if you experienced an adverse event or believe the product has a quality problem, report it to FDA through MedWatch and use the company contact information in the recall notice. FDA’s consumer reporting guidance says MedWatch is not medical advice and advises people experiencing an adverse event to contact a health professional first. A report helps FDA evaluate safety information; it does not replace care.

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Historical examples are not live recall status

FDA’s eye-drop alert page lists historical notices, including a December 21, 2024 recall of one lot—Lot 10101—of Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go, 25 count. Treat that entry as an example of how a notice identifies an affected item, not as confirmation of current recall status.

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In its February 2, 2023 recall notice for specified Artificial Tears products distributed as EzriCare and Delsam Pharma, FDA reported 55 adverse-event reports, including eye infections, permanent loss of vision, and a death with a bloodstream infection. Separately, FDA’s EzriCare warning said CDC had identified 55 patients in 12 states as of January 31, 2023, with infections linked by epidemiologic and laboratory evidence. These are distinct historical measures, not a single current count.

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Quick Recap

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REFRESH PLUS Lubricant Eye Drops Preservative-Free Artificial Tears, 0.01 fl oz (0.4 mL), 70 Single-Use Containers
LASTING RELIEF: Original strength lubricating formula soothes mild symptoms of eye dryness
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Refresh OPTIVE MEGA-3 PF Lubricant Eye Drops Preservative-Free Artificial Tears, 0.33 fl oz (10mL)
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FAST ACTING: Rapid relief to comfort dry, irritated eyes; SOFT-SQUEEZE MULTIDOSE BOTTLE: Features a double lockout system that keeps drops sterile
$19.18

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

eye dropsFDA recallsmedication safetyMedWatch

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