Eye drops are being recalled over concerns that the products may not be sterile.
Sterling Pharmaceutical Services LLC, based in Dupo, Illinois,initiated the recall Aug. 20, 2026. The eyedrops were sold under several brand names, including Walgreens. The recall covers nine products and 747,844 units in total.
"Ophthalmic drug products, such as eye drops, pose a heightened risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defenses. Any drug used in the eyes must be sterile to reduce the risk of infection," the FDA writes on its website.
Facilities manufacturing eye drops marketed in the U.S. are required to be registered with FDA and the agency actively monitors eye drops in the marketplace by conducting surveillance,
including sampling and testing products on the market, and monitoring side effects.
Here's what to know about what eye drops are being recalled.
Which eye drops are recalled?
The recall covers nine products and 747,844 units in total. The affected products and quantities are:
- Cameron Pharmaceuticals Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5% Eye Lubricant, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL): 19,284 bottles
- AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL) bottles: 12,864 packs
- AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, two-count twin packs: 107,377 packs
- Reliable-1 Laboratories Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Ophthalmic Solution, 5%, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL): 11,083 bottles
- Reliable-1 Laboratories Lubricating Tears, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL): 47,616 bottles
- Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5%, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL) bottles: 301,114 bottles
- Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, two-count twin packs: 199,600 packs
- TRP The Relief Products Gentle Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%: 14,538 bottles
- Major LubriFresh P.M. Nighttime Ointment, 0.125 ounces (3.5 g) tubes: 34,368 tubes
USA Today contributed to this story.
Natassia Paloma may be reached at npaloma@gannett.com, @NatassiaPaloma on X, natassia_paloma on Instagram, and Natassia Paloma on Facebook.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: Nearly 750K eye drops recalled over sterility concerns. See list
