Massive eye drop recall: FDA warns of sterility issues in 3 million bottles
Eye drop aisle at Target store, Queens, New York. (Photo by: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES - Federal health officials are warning consumers to check their medicine cabinets following a nationwide recall of more than 3 million bottles of eye drops sold under dozens of popular retail brands.
What we know:
On March 31, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) disclosed that Pomona-based K.C. Pharmaceuticals voluntarily recalled 3,111,072 bottles of eye drops.
The primary concern is a "Lack of Assurance of Sterility," meaning the company cannot guarantee that the manufacturing process prevented the introduction of infection-causing microbes.
The recall spans a wide variety of products, including "Artificial Tears," "Advanced Relief," and "Redness Lubricant" drops.
Major retailers involved include pharmacy giants like CVS and Walgreens, grocery chains like Kroger and H-E-B, and distributors like Cardinal Health and McKesson.
Most affected lots have expiration dates extending into May or October 2026.
What we don't know:
The FDA report did not explicitly state that any of the bottles were found to be contaminated, only that the safety standards required to ensure sterility were not met.
Additionally, the report has not yet provided specific instructions for consumer refunds or a formal replacement remedy from the manufacturer.
What's next:
Consumers are advised to stop using the affected products immediately.
While the FDA has not outlined a specific refund process, it is expected that major retailers may honor returns or exchanges for the identified lots.
Health officials recommend that anyone who has used these drops and experiences eye pain, redness, or vision changes should contact an eye doctor or healthcare provider immediately.
What you can do:
Check the brand name and lot number on your eye drop bottles. If you find a match with the following major brands, set the product aside:
- Pharmacy Chains: Walgreens, CVS Health, Rite Aid.
- Supermarkets: Kroger, H-E-B, Publix, Meijer, Harris Teeter.
- Others: Dollar General, Circle K, Cintas, and various wholesale brands like Leader or Equaline.
- Check the Lot: Specifically look for codes starting with AC, AR, LT, SU, RG, RL, SY, or AT with 2026 expiration dates.
Tap or click here to read the full FDA announcement.
The Source: This report is based on an official enforcement report published by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on March 31, 2026.