The Food and Drug Administration is warning consumers not to use counterfeit versions of over-the-counter eye drops found in Florida and Georgia — several of which have tested positive for bacterial contamination, the agency announced October 19.
The counterfeit products were found in stores serving primarily Spanish-speaking customers, according to the FDA, and may also be present in Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, and potentially other states. Laboratory testing confirmed bacterial contamination in two of the products, including one sold as a redness-relief drop that tested positive for Staphylococcus bacteria, Ophthalmology Management reports.
Do not use counterfeit eye drops as the quality is unknown and several of these products have tested positive for bacterial contamination, the FDA said in its statement. Using counterfeit eye drops can pose a serious risk to eye health and may cause injury, infection or vision problems. Eye drops bypass some of the body's natural defenses, so any product used in the eyes must be sterile to reduce infection risk, the agency notes.
The FDA says it is not aware of adverse events linked to the counterfeit products, and its investigation and product testing are ongoing. The agency is working with distributors to identify, investigate, and remove the unlawful products from the U.S. drug supply, and has published product images and packaging details to help consumers and health professionals tell fakes from authentic versions, Eyecare Business reports.
The warning is the latest in a string of eye drop safety scares: recent recalls tied to contaminated products have involved reports of infections, partial vision loss, and blindness. Consumers who suspect they bought counterfeit drops should stop using them immediately and talk to a pharmacist or eye doctor about safe alternatives.
Photo: brownpau, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons