Eye Drops Recalled for Potential Sterility Issues, Walgreens Brand Included
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More Than Half a Million Eyedrop Bottles Recalled Because They May Not Be Sterile

Lubricating eye drops from Walgreens are included in the recall, as well as ophthalmic ointments. Learn which products are affected, plus what to do with them.
More Than Half a Million Eyedrop Bottles Recalled Because They May Not Be Sterile
Everyday Health
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Published on October 05, 2026
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has updated a recall of multiple eye-care products, with nearly 750,000 units now affected, including Walgreens-branded lubricating eye drops. The manufacturer, Sterling Pharmaceutical, recalled the over-the-counter eye-care products because they may not be sterile, posing a risk of infection.

The FDA notice listed the recall as a class 2 event, meaning affected products could “cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences or where the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Although the risk is low, you should not use the recalled eye products under any circumstances. Anything applied to the eyes needs to be sterile to reduce the risk of infection, according to the FDA, “because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defenses.”

Recalled products can usually be returned to the store for a full refund.

What Eye Drops Were Recalled?

Sterling Pharmaceutical recalled the following products:

Product Description
Code Information
Product Quantity
AvKare Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Sterile, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) bottles

Lot # 3161, Expiry: 8/2026

Lot # 3245, Expiry: 3/2027

Lot # 3260, Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3298, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3299, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3300, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3301, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3302, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3305, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3306, Expiry: 7/2027

12,864 packs
Reliable-1 Laboratories, Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Ophthalmic Solution, 5%, Sterile, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) bottles

Lot # 3192, Expiry: 01/31/2027

Lot # 3293, Expiry: 06/30/2027

Lot # 3336, Expiry: 06/30/2027

11,083 bottles
Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Sterile, 0.5 oz (15 mL) bottles 

Lot # 3166, Expiry: 9/2026

Lot # 3172, Expiry: 9/2026

Lot # 3173, Expiry: 9/2026

Lot # 3175, Expiry: 10/2026

Lot # 3176, Expiry: 10/2026

Lot # 3177, Expiry: 10/2026

Lot # 3178, Expiry: 10/2026

Lot # 3180, Expiry: 11/2026

Lot # 3188, Expiry: 12/2026

Lot # 3202, Expiry: 12/2026

Lot # 3203, Expiry: 12/2026

Lot # 3205, Expiry: 12/2026

Lot # 3209, Expiry: 2/2027

Lot # 3210, Expiry: 3/2027

Lot # 3246, Expiry: 3/2027

Lot # 3247, Expiry: 3/2027

Lot # 3248, Expiry: 4/2027

Lot # 3249, Expiry: 4/2027

Lot # 3250, Expiry: 4/2027

Lot # 3252, Expiry: 4/2027

Lot # 3253, Expiry: 4/2027

Lot # 3261, Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3262, Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3263; Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3264, Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3281, Expiry: 6/2027

301,114 bottles
Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) 1.0 fl oz (30 mL) total, 2 count Twin Pack

Lot # 3165, Expiry: 9/2026

Lot # 3179, Expiry: 10/2026

Lot # 3204, Expiry: 12/2026

Lot # 3206, Expiry: 12/2026

Lot # 3208, Expiry: 12/2026

Lot # 3259, Expiry: 4/2027

Lot # 3265, Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3268, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3272, Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3273, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3276, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3278, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3280, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3307, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3309, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3315, Expiry: 7/2027

199,600 packs
Reliable-1 Laboratories Lubricating Tears, Sterile, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) bottles

Lot # 3171, Expiry: 09/30/2026

Lot # 3174, Expiry: 10/31/2026

Lot # 3275, Expiry: 06/30/2027

Lot # 3304, Expiry: 07/31/2027

47,616 bottles
TRP The Relief Products, Gentle Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%, Sterile Eye Drops, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) bottles

Lot # 3279, Exp 6/30/2027

Lot # 3292, Exp 5/31/2027

14,538 bottles
Major LubriFresh P.M. Nighttime Ointment, Net wt. 0.125 oz. (3.5 g) tubes
Lot # 3183
34,368 tubes
Cameron Pharmaceuticals Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5%, Eye Lubricant, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) bottles

Lot # 3163, Expiry: 8/31/2026

Lot # 3164, Expiry: 9/30/2026

19,284 bottles
AvKare Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Sterile, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL) each, 1.0 fl oz (30 mL) total, 2 count Twin Pack

Lot # 3161, Expiry: 8/2026

Lot # 3245, Expiry: 3/2027

Lot # 3260, Expiry: 5/2027

Lot # 3298, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3299, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3300, Expiry: 6/2027

Lot # 3301, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3302, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3305, Expiry: 7/2027

Lot # 3306, Expiry: 7/2027

107,377 packs
EDITORIAL SOURCES
Everyday Health follows strict sourcing guidelines to ensure the accuracy of its content, outlined in our editorial policy. We use only trustworthy sources, including peer-reviewed studies, board-certified medical experts, patients with lived experience, and information from top institutions.
Resources
  1. Enforcement Report ID 99712. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. September 29, 2026.
  2. What You Should Know about Eye Drops. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. June 15, 2026.
  3. Recalls Background and Definitions. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. July 31, 2014.
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