US health authorities have withdrawn tens of thousands of bottles of eye drops from the market, following concerns that they may not have been adequately sterilized.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) classified the recall of approximately 39,000 bottles of Clear Eyes Maximum Eye Relief eye drops as a Category 2 recall, the second-highest level of risk. This category indicates that use of or exposure to the product may result in temporary or treatable adverse health effects, while the likelihood of serious health harm remains low.
The company had announced a recall of 39,060 bottles of the product on July 29 due to "not guaranteeing sterility." This means there is a possibility that the droplets may be contaminated with harmful substances, particles, or bacteria.
The recall includes 15ml bottles of over-the-counter eye drops distributed by New York-based Prestige Brands Holdings throughout the United States.
The bottles have an expiration date of September 30, 2027, and the batch number is 2552A. The FDA advises consumers who have this product to stop using it immediately, as the contaminated drops can cause eye infections or damage that may affect vision.
The FDA did not specify whether tests confirmed actual contamination of the droplets, or identified the type of potential contamination and its source. No illnesses or injuries related to this recall have been reported to date.
