Recalled Eye Drops 2026: Which Products Are Affected and What Should You Do?

Why Eye Drop Recalls Matter

The FDA reported that 747,844 units across nine eye-drop and eye-ointment products were recalled because their sterility could not be assured. The recall, initiated by Sterling Pharmaceutical Services, included products sold under several brand names, including Walgreens. The reported total and product list describe this specific recall, not every eye-drop notice issued in 2026. USA TODAY’s report lists the affected products.

Other 2026 notices concern separate products and manufacturers. A familiar brand name alone does not confirm that a bottle is affected. Recall information can be updated.

Products Included in the Sterling Recall

Sterling Pharmaceutical Services LLC, based in Dupo, Illinois, initiated the voluntary recall on August 20, 2026. The FDA classified it as Class II on September 21. That classification means temporary or medically reversible health effects may occur, or that serious effects are considered unlikely. It does not establish that the products were contaminated or that anyone became ill. The reported recall details cover seven products.

• Cameron Pharmaceuticals Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5% Eye Lubricant: 19,284 bottles.
• AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%: 12,864 single-bottle packs and 107,377 two-count twin packs.
• Reliable-1 Laboratories Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Ophthalmic Solution 5%: 11,083 bottles.
• Reliable-1 Laboratories Lubricating Tears: 47,616 bottles.
• Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5%: 301,114 bottles and 199,600 two-count twin packs.
• TRP The Relief Products Gentle Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%: 14,538 bottles.
• Major LubriFresh P.M. Nighttime Ointment: 34,368 tubes.

The listed eye-drop bottles are generally 0.5 fl oz (15 mL); the Major LubriFresh ointment is packaged in 0.125 oz (3.5 g) tubes. The reported quantities total 747,844 units, counting packs and tubes as reported.

The reports do not consistently provide exact lot numbers and expiration dates, so compare the package details with the matching FDA recall entry before deciding whether your bottle or tube is included. Some secondary reporting supplies lot-level information, but the FDA listing should be used to verify current details.

Check the Exact Product and Lot

Compare the product name, package format, lot number, and expiration date printed on the bottle or box with the matching entry in the FDA Enforcement Report. A notice may cover only certain products, presentations, and lots, even when other products share the same brand.

This distinction matters because separate 2026 notices involve different products and concerns. The Sterling recall is separate from an April recall of more than 3 million over-the-counter bottles, which listed product-specific lot codes, and a July recall of prescription prednisolone acetate linked to a foreign substance. The Clear Eyes Maximum Itchy Eye Relief recall is separate as well, and applies to lot 2552A.

Recall details can change, and media summaries may not include every identifier. If the package information does not match clearly, ask a pharmacist or eye-care professional to help verify it before using the drops.

What to Do With an Affected Bottle

If your bottle matches the recalled product and lot details, stop using it immediately and speak with your doctor, as the FDA guidance reported for the recall advises. Do not assume that an unfamiliar-looking bottle is safe or affected based on appearance alone. Check current information in the FDA drug recalls database, since recall listings can be updated.

Sterility matters because eye medicines must be free from microorganisms such as bacteria. Drops are placed directly on the eye, so a product whose sterility cannot be assured presents a particular safety concern. The reported Sterling recall was prompted by that concern, not by a finding that every bottle was contaminated.

The FDA classified the Sterling recall as Class II. That category means exposure may cause temporary or medically reversible health consequences, while the probability of serious adverse consequences is considered remote. It is not a guarantee that an affected product is safe to use, which is why consumers should follow the stop-use advice and consult a doctor.

For patients at the Manhattan practice of Dr. Thomas W. Loeb, questions about eye symptoms or treatment should be addressed with an appropriate medical professional. The recall reporting does not provide consistent instructions on returning or disposing of Sterling products, so avoid relying on assumptions about refunds or manufacturer procedures.

Symptoms and Broader Eye Drop Safety

Possible signs of an eye infection include blurry vision, discharge, redness of the eye or eyelid, pain or discomfort, a feeling that something is in the eye, and increased light sensitivity. These symptoms can have different causes and do not, by themselves, show that a recalled product caused an infection.

If symptoms are worsening or not improving, make an appointment with an eye-care professional. For general information about identifying affected products, see this guide to eye drop recall checks.

Over-the-counter eye products generally do not undergo FDA review before sale, but they must follow Current Good Manufacturing Practice requirements, including strict standards for sterility. FDA inspections can uncover manufacturing problems after products are already on the market, as UC Davis Health explains.

UC Davis reported that recalled drops in 2023 were associated with 80 infections, 14 cases of vision loss, and four deaths involving drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Those outcomes were linked to the earlier events, not the Sterling recall.

UC Davis ophthalmologist Jeffrey H. Ma says he routinely recommends preservative-free drops in single-use vials for some patients with dry eye. This is an individualized clinical practice, not a universal requirement or evidence that all multidose drops are unsafe. Ask an eye-care professional which option suits your needs.

Use Current FDA Information

If all product and lot details match a recalled item, stop using it and contact your doctor with questions.

A recall notice applies to the products and lots identified, not automatically to every item sold under the same brand. For personalized guidance about eye drops or symptoms, Dr. Thomas W. Loeb’s Manhattan practice provides individualized care based on each patient’s needs.