Contaminated Eye Drop Recall Lawsuit Investigation

In late October 2023, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued warnings against purchasing and using various over-the-counter eye drop products due to potential risk of eye infections that could lead to vision loss or blindness.

Cardinal Health Inc. voluntarily recalled all lots of six Leader brand ophthalmic products, adding a sixth product to the previously listed five.

Additionally, Harvard Drug Group LLC recalled all lots of two Rugby Laboratories brand eye drops.

The FDA updated its list to include the national drug codes of these products.

On October 30, the FDA added Walmart’s Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 mL to the list, leading Walmart to remove the product from store shelves and online.

The initial warning on October 27 advised against using 26 over-the-counter eye drop products marketed under brands like CVS Health, Leader, Rugby, Rite Aid, Target Up & Up, and Velocity Pharma.

These products, meant to be sterile, pose a heightened risk as they bypass the body’s natural defenses.

The FDA’s recommendation for a recall came after finding insanitary conditions and positive bacterial tests in critical drug production areas in the manufacturing facility.

CVS, Rite Aid, and Target have removed the affected products from sale, but some Leader, Rugby, and Velocity products might still be available and should not be purchased.

As of the report, the FDA hadn’t received any adverse event reports related to these products but encourages reporting of any adverse events to their MedWatch program.

If you or a loved one used any of the recalled eye drops or artificial tears and subsequently experience eye infection symptoms, vision loss, or other related health issues, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Contaminated Eye Drop Lawsuit claim instantly.

Investigation Finds Unsanitary Conditions at Manufacturing Facilities in India

Tainted over-the-counter eyedrops, recalled by the FDA and pulled from major retailers like CVS, Rite Aid, Walmart, and Target, were reportedly made under unsanitary conditions in a factory in Navi Mumbai, India.

A Bloomberg investigation revealed Kilitch Healthcare India Ltd. as the manufacturer, where workers were found barefoot or without protective gear in sterile areas, and safety test results were allegedly falsified.

This situation reveals a gap in the FDA’s oversight of over-the-counter medicines, allowing inexperienced Indian entrepreneurs to export these products to the U.S.

Despite India’s significant role in pharmaceutical manufacturing, the FDA has limited power to enforce recalls.

However, they banned the Kilitch factory from exporting more eyedrops to the U.S. after an inspection.

The FDA has issued warnings about 78 over-the-counter eyedrops this year, but only 13 have been recalled.

The Dry Eye Foundation raised concerns about the rising number of risky eye drops in the U.S. market.

The FDA also warned about severe infections potentially leading to life-threatening conditions related to other eyedrop products, including Dr. Berne’s Organic Castor Oil Eye Drops and Dr. Berne’s MSM Mist 15% Solution.

Drug Resistant Bacteria Found in Other Recalled Eye Drops

Another case from earlier this year, which our lawyers are also investigating, again involved contaminated artificial tears and eye drops manufactured in India under unsanitary conditions.

EzriCare and Delsam Pharma’s Artificial Tears Lubricant Eye Drops were recalled due to bacterial infections, severe injuries, and four deaths in the United States.

The companies are currently facing lawsuits from individuals who have suffered as a result of using these contaminated artificial tears.

Our attorneys are currently accepting new clients for the EzriCare Artificial Tears Lawsuit.

Some patients who used EzriCare or Delsam Pharma’s artificial tears suffered severe injuries and complications, including the removal of eyeballs and long-lasting migraines.

While the EzriCare and Delsam Pharma lawsuit has been in the focus of regulators and attorneys, other eye drops have also been recalled this year.

In August 2023, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase and to immediately stop using Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 5% Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair due to bacterial contamination, fungal contamination, or both.

What Eye Drops are Recalled?

Recalled eye drops include the following retailers and brands:

• CVS Health
  • Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack and single pack)
  • Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml (twin pack and single pack)
  • Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml
  • Lubricating Gel drops 10 ml
  • Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (single pack and twin pack)
  • Mild Moderate Lubricating Eye Drops 15 ml (single pack)
• Leader (Cardinal Health)
  • Eye Irritation Relief 0.5 FL OZ (15 ml)
  • Dry Eye Relief 0.5 FL OZ (15 ml)
  • Lubricant Eye Drops 0.5 FL OZ (15 ml) (single pack and twin pack)
  • Dry Eye Relief 0.33 FL OZ (10 ml)
  • Lubricant Eye Drops 0.33 FL OZ (10 ml)
• Rugby (Harvard Drug Group)
  • Lubricating Eye Drops 0.5 oz (15 ml)
  • Lubricating Tears Eye Drops 0.5 oz (15 ml)
• Rite Aid
  • Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (twin pack)
  • Lubricant Eye Drops 10 ml (twin pack)
  • Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops 15 ml
  • Lubricant Gel Drops 15 ml
  • Lubricating Gel Drops 10 ml
  • Multi-Action Relief Drops 15 ml
• Target
  • Up&Up Dry Eye Relief Lubricant Eye Drops 30 ml
  • Up&Up Extreme Relief Dry Eye 15 ml (single pack and twin pack)
• Velocity Pharma LLC
  • Lubricant Eye Drop 10 ml (triple pack)
• Walmart
  • Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop 10 mL

Injuries and Symptoms Linked to Fungal Contamination of Eye Drops

The use of contaminated eye drops and artificial tears can result in severe injuries, the need for extreme surgical intervention, and even death in some cases.

Possible injuries, symptoms, and complications of using contaminated eye drops include:

• Blindness
• Vision loss
• Eye loss
• Blurry vision
• Eye pain or discomfort
• Feeling something in the eye (foreign body sensation)
• High fever or long lasting fevers
• Increased sensitivity to light
• Infection
• Inflammation
• Mucus drainage
• Puss in eyes
• Redness of the eyes or eyelids
• Discharge from the eyes

Do You Qualify for the Contaminated Eye Drops Lawsuit?

Our attorneys are currently investigating lawsuits for individuals who have suffered vision loss, eye damage, eye infection, and other injuries subsequent to using eye drops or artificial tears contaminated with bacteria or fungus.

If you or a loved one used contaminated eye drops and subsequently developed eye infection symptoms, vision loss, or other related injuries, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Contaminated Eye Drops Lawsuit claim instantly.

Lawyers experienced in product liability cases can help individuals throughout the legal process.

Our team will help you complete the steps crucial to filing, such as gathering evidence and assessing damages.

Gathering Evidence for Contaminated Eye Drop Lawsuits

Evidence proving your use of recalled eye drops is essential to include in your claim.

This is a step of the legal process you can begin on your own, but if there is any evidence you are having difficulty retaining, our attorneys can help.

Possible evidence in Contaminated Eye Drop pages includes:

• Medical records
• Receipts of purchase for contaminated eye drops
• Eye drop packaging
• Photos and videos
• Doctor’s notes
• Witness testimony
• Any other evidence proving use of contaminated eye drops

Assessing Damages for Eye Drop Cases

Damages are the total amount of losses related to using contaminated eye drops and subsequent injuries.

Damages in contaminated eye drop cases may include the following:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Lost wages or earning ability
• Lost quality of life
• Permanent disability
• Emotional damages
• Pain and suffering
• Other compensatory and punitive damages

TorHoerman Law: Investigating Legal Action for Contaminated Eye Drops

Our attorneys have decades of experience helping victims of dangerous products seek compensation for what they’ve experienced.

Products like artificial tears and eye drops must be safe to use, and the presence of bacterial contamination in such a sensitive product calls for regulatory investigations and legal action on behalf of those who have suffered.

If you or a loved one used contaminated eye drops and developed an eye infection or suffered other injuries, such as vision loss or blurry vision, you may be eligible to file a claim.

Contact TorHoerman Law for a free consultation.

Use the chatbot on this page to find out if you qualify for a Contaminated Eye Drops Lawsuit claim instantly.

Positive bacterial test results from batches of eye drops sold by major retailers is a major issue.

If you have suffered from vision loss or eye infections after using these products, reach out to our attorneys today.

We’re here to help you.