Eye drops sold at Publix, Amazon recalled for fungal contamination. What you should know
Many of us need eye drops for our weary orbs. Hours spent reading and writing holiday cards, peering at ingredient lists while baking, and catching up on new and old Christmas movies on TV.
Now one of the products that offers relief for dry eyes is on a recall list.
Alcon Laboratories has voluntarily recalled one lot of Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF after a customer complained of foreign material found inside a sealed single-use vial. The Texas manufacturer determined the material was fungal.
The recall of the particular variety of Systane Lubricant Eye Drops, sold at many stores nationwide and online at Amazon, was announced by the company on Saturday. Publix, the Lakeland-based supermarket, also announced the recall on its website.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration published the recall on Monday. In addition to Publix and Amazon, Systane is sold at supermarkets and pharmacies including Winn-Dixie, Walmart, Target, Walgreens and CVS.
What to look for
Look for the Systane Lubricant Eye Drops in the green carton with white lettering and Ultra PF (for “Preservative Free”) in a pink strip and “Convenient Single Vials On-the-Go” printed inside a yellow circle on the front of the box. The Single Vials On-the-Go are 25 count and marked Lot 10101.
The expiration date is stamped as 2025/09.
What’s the risk?
Fungal contamination of an ophthalmic product potentially can cause eye infections. Some eye infections can be serious and vision-threatening, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In rare cases, these infections can be potentially life-threatening in immunocompromised patients, the FDA said in its recall notice.
So far, Alcon Laboratories has not received any reports of adverse events related to this recall.
Symptoms of eye infection include eye pain, eye redness, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, excessive tearing and eye discharge.
What is Systane used for?
Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF is used for the temporary relief of burning and irritation in people experiencing dry eye symptoms, according to the company. The drops are packaged in a cardboard carton containing 25 sterile, single-use plastic vials of preservative free solution for ophthalmic use.
What to do
If you have the recalled Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF, Single Vials On-the-Go, 25 count (Lot 10101) stop using them immediately. Return the eye drops to the place of purchase for a replacement or refund.
Consumers with questions regarding this recall can contact Alcon Laboratories at 800-241-5999 between 7:30 a.m. and 6 p.m. Central, Monday to Friday.
Contact your physician or healthcare provider if you have experienced any problems that may be related to using these drops.
