FDA added Walmart's eye drops to its harmful products list. The health organization warns consumers to specifically avoid the Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop (10 mL).
This affordable eye drop, which is sold by Walmart in its physical stores and online marketplace, was already removed because of its harmful effects.
The Food and Drug Administration claimed that Walmart's popular eye drops can lead to partial or even complete vision loss.
FDA Adds Walmart Eye Drops to Its Harmful Products List
According to Fox Business, the FDA confirmed that Walmart already removed the harmful eye drops from its store shelves and online marketplace.
The Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop is the latest eye drop that the FDA added to its potentially dangerous product list, making it the 27th item.
Before Walmart's eye drops were added, FDA officials recently warned users to avoid or throw out 26 other products that are used for eyes.
The federal health regulator explained that these eye drops were discovered to be in unsanitary conditions when they were stored in manufacturers' facilities.
FDA said that the dirty environment could have contaminated the products, making them dangerous for human use. Aside from unsanitary facilities, the health organization also discovered that these eye drops tested positive for bacterial contaminations.
However, authorities didn't disclose the specific bacteria. They also didn't clarify if the bacterial test results of these eye drops were linked to the previous antibiotic-resistant bacteria Pseudomonas aeruginosa outbreak.
Aside from Walmart, the FDA also warns consumers to avoid using eye drops sold by Rite Aid, Target's Up & Up brand, Velocity Pharma, Leader (Cardinal Health), Rugby (Cardinal Health, and CVS Health.
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Eye Infection Symptoms to Look Out For
USA Today reported that no eye infection cases linked to the eye drops on the FDA's harmful products list have been reported so far.
But, if you or your family accidentally use one of the harmful eye drops, here are the infection symptoms you need to look out for:
- Increased sensitivity to light
- Feeling like there is something in the eye
- Redness of the eyelid or eye
- Blurry vision
- Discharge
- Pain or discomfort
Once you are sure that you or your loved ones are suffering from one or two of these symptoms, the best thing you can do is seek medical care as soon as possible.
