Several brands of eye drops may be contaminated.Photo:Getty
Getty
The Food and Drug Administrationhas advisedpeople to stop using 27 leading over-the-counter eye drops due to the presence of bacteria that could cause eye infections — and even blindness.
“Despite layers of protection, eyes are vulnerable to disease,” theCleveland Clinicexplains.
Target, among others, removed eye drops from their shelves.ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty
ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty
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The FDA advisory, issued last Wednesday, charged that agency investigators found “insanitary conditions” at the manufacturing plants for these drops.
Although the agency didn’t clarify which types of bacteria were found to be present, this past spring, there was a previous recall on eye drops afterthree people diedafter contracting an antibiotic-resistant bacteria — and others were left withpermanent blindnessafter using EzriCare Artificial Tears.
Additionally, in August, Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops werediscovered to contain bacteria, fungus and an ingredient that’s not legally allowed to be included in eye drops.
Twenty-seven leading brands were ultimately listed in the latest advisory, which recommended they be recalled.
TheMayo Clinicadvises that while red eyes isn’t necessarily a cause for alarm, “call your health care provider for an appointment if you have red eye that doesn’t clear up after several days, especially if you have thick pus or [mucus] for a long time.”
You should see immediate medical care, the Mayo Clinic says, if your eyesight changes, you begin to see circles around lights or you experience other symptoms, like headaches, fever or nausea.
source: people.com
