In 2026, a major FDA eye drop recall wave and related supply shortages affected millions of over-the-counter and prescription bottles nationwide. Major recalls due to sterility concerns include over-the-counter store brands manufactured by K.C. Pharmaceuticals (such as GoodSense, Rugby Laboratories, Geri-Care, CVS Health, Walgreens, Publix, Kroger, and Leader), nearly 12 million cartons of Rohto Cooling Eye Drops, and prescription Lupin Prednisolone Acetate 1%. High demand for safe alternatives has also caused widespread retail shortages for popular brand-name drops like Clear Eyes.

This recall page is part of our Eye Care Hub, where we track eye drop recalls, dry eye alternatives, allergy eye drops, and store-brand eye care updates.

Some visitors arrive on this page because they saw eye drop recall news and are trying to figure out whether an OTC eye drop or eye care product may fit their situation. The table below separates prescription-recall questions, brand-name shortages, and recalled products from common over-the-counter comfort options.

How to Check Your Eye Drop Lot Number

If you have a bottle of Geri-Care, GoodSense, CVS Health, Rugby Laboratories, Walgreens, or another store-brand listed below, check the lot number and expiration date to see if your specific bottle is affected.

1. Find the lot number: Look on the bottom flap of the box or on the side of the bottle label. It may be printed near the barcode.
2. Compare the first characters: The code may look like LOT: LT24E01. Compare the beginning of your lot number to the affected lot prefixes in the table below.
3. Stop using matched lots: If your lot starts with one of the recalled prefixes, do not use the drops.

Popular FDA Eye Drop Recall Status Questions

FDA Eye Drop Recall 2026 Master List (FDA Event 98533)

How to use this table: Start by checking the product name and brand, then compare the first characters of the lot number on your box or bottle.

Note: Full lot numbers may include extra digits after the prefix. For example, if the recalled prefix is AC24E, a full lot such as AC24E01 should be treated as affected. Additional store-brand products may also appear in the FDA master list.

Safe Alternative Eye Drops In Stock

If your bottle appears on the recall list above, the safest next step is to stop using that specific bottle and choose a current alternative that fits your eye drop type. Below are practical replacement routes from our Eye Care Hub.

• Systane Ultra-style lubricant:GoodSense Ultra 3-Pack is back in stock at Xeteor, with current inventory verified by GoodSense as not affected by the recall. Brand-name Systane Ultra is also available. See our Systane Ultra Generic Alternatives guide.
• Refresh-style lubricant:Reliable 1 Lubricating Tears 3-Pack uses Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5% for everyday dry eye relief. For a preservative-free Refresh Plus-style option, choose GoodSense Lubricating Plus Preservative-Free 4-Pack, or the brand-name Refresh Plus Single-Use Containers. You can also view the single bottle Reliable 1 Lubricating Tears option and our Refresh Tears Generic Alternatives guide.
• Rohto & redness-relief alternatives: For users looking to replace recalled Rohto Cooling Eye Drops, GoodSense Eye Itch Relief 3-Pack targets underlying allergy redness and itching, while Reliable 1 Lubricating Tears provides soothing, non-menthol comfort for everyday eye irritation.
• Preservative-free dry eye drops:Refresh Plus Single-Use Vials and GenTeal Tears Single-Use Vials are preservative-free options.
• Allergy eye itch relief:GoodSense Eye Itch Relief 3-Pack and GoodSense Eye Itch Relief use Ketotifen. You can also compare options in our Zaditor Generic Alternatives guide.
• Brand-name allergy option:Systane Zaditor Eye Itch Relief is an antihistamine eye drop for allergy-related itching.
• Corneal edema / Muro 128-style products: These are different from standard dry-eye lubricant drops. See our Muro 128 Generic Alternatives guide, including Rugby Sodium Chloride 5% Solution, Reliable 1 Sodium Chloride 5% Solution, and Rugby Sodium Chloride 5% Ointment.
• Eye wash: If you are looking for an eye wash option, see McKesson Eye Wash Ophthalmic Solution.
• Macular health vitamins (Oral softgels): Oral supplements are not eye drops, but if you are seeking generic AREDS 2 vitamins for daily eye health support, see GoodSense SuperView2 (2-Pack) or read our PreserVision AREDS 2 Generic Alternatives guide.

What Is a Voluntary FDA Recall?

According to the FDA, a recall is an action taken by a firm to remove a product from the market. Recalls may be conducted on a firm’s own initiative, by FDA request, or by FDA order. In this case, the recall is described as voluntary because the manufacturer initiated the removal of affected products.

The FDA classifies recalls based on risk. The 2026 eye drop recalls listed above are classified as Class II, which means use of or exposure to the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote. You can read the FDA’s official recalls background and definitions for more detail.

Official FDA Eye Drop Recall Sources

• Official FDA Enforcement Report Event 98533: Complete FDA database listing of affected products and lot numbers.
• CVS Health Official Recall Notice PDF
• Geri-Care / McKesson Official Recall Notice PDF
• FDA Recall Background and Definitions

Related Eye Care and Recall Guides

• PreserVision AREDS 2 Generic Alternatives
• Systane Ultra Generic Alternatives
• Refresh Tears Generic Alternatives
• Zaditor Generic Alternatives
• Muro 128 Generic Alternatives
• Store-Brand Cough Drop Recall List
• Webcol Alcohol Prep Pad Recall List

About Xeteor

Xeteor.com, founded in Las Vegas in 2018, is a trusted online store and healthcare product guide specializing in generic over-the-counter medicines, store-brand alternatives, blood glucose test strips, diabetic testing supplies, vitamins, and healthcare essentials.

We help shoppers find the right product when a brand name is too expensive, a store-brand label is confusing, insurance is not being used, or the product they usually buy is out of stock. For OTC products, our approach compares active ingredients, strengths, dosage forms, package sizes, manufacturers, pricing, availability, and fulfillment options. For diabetic testing supplies, we help customers compare meter compatibility, test strip type, expiration dating, package count, price per strip, and out-of-pocket value.

Our product analysis is led by Joe, the Head Xeteorologist, whose Joe’s Translation insights explain generic OTC products and diabetes supply choices in plain English.

We are the creators of the Xeteor Rx Quality Ladder and the Premium vs. Value Generic Drugs framework. These guides help explain how generic OTC products differ by manufacturer, labeler, sourcing model, supply reliability, and delivered value.

Our OTC generic portfolio includes:

• Tier 1 Premium Generics:GoodSense and Foster & Thrive.
• Tier 2 Standard Generics:Geri-Care, Reliable 1 Laboratories, Oncor Pharmaceuticals, and Health Star.
• Tier 3 Value Generics:Major Pharmaceuticals and Rugby Laboratories.

Many customers also come to Xeteor.com for affordable cash-pay diabetic testing supplies, especially blood glucose test strips, meters, lancets, control solution, and related diabetes supplies. Explore our Diabetes Management Guides, including guides for CareSens Test Strips, True Metrix Test Strips, and Original Bayer Contour Test Strips.

Xeteor is top-rated across major platforms including Trustpilot, Google, eBay, Amazon, and Walmart, with over 10,000 customer reviews across major platforms. Our goal is to combine clear product guidance, reliable products, and real human support by phone, email, and text.

For more plain-English comparisons, visit the Xeteor OTC & Diabetes Guides.

Shipping

Orders placed by 3:00 PM PST, Monday through Friday, usually ship the same business day when fulfilled directly from Xeteor. Network and partner-fulfilled items usually ship within 1 to 2 business days through trusted healthcare distribution partners.

We offer free nationwide shipping on orders over $30 and on qualifying Savings Packs. Some orders may ship in multiple packages if items are fulfilled from different locations. View our full shipping policy.

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Returns

Purchases are backed by our 100-day return policy. We accept eligible unopened, unused items in their original packaging, with no restocking fees. View our complete return policy.

Need Help?

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• Phone:1-833-787-4777 (Monday-Friday, 9 AM-5 PM PST)
• Email:cs@xeteor.com
• Text:702-659-7022

Visit our full Contact Xeteor Customer Service page for more options.

Historical Archive: Past FDA Eye Drop Recalls

The following information relates to closed or historical recalls. We maintain this archive so consumers can check older bottles they may still have stored in their medicine cabinets.

October 2023: Rugby, CVS, Rite Aid, and Target

On October 30, 2023, the FDA issued a recall for several over-the-counter eye drop products due to the potential risk of eye infections caused by bacterial contamination. As an authorized reseller of Rugby Laboratories, we notified our customers of the two specific Rugby formulas affected:

• Rugby Lubricating Tears Eye Drops (0.1% Dextran / 0.3% Hypromellose) 15 mL (NDC: 0536-1282-94)
• Rugby Polyvinyl Alcohol 1.4% Lubricating Eye Drops 15 mL (NDC: 0536-1325-94)

The 2023 recall also heavily impacted major retail store brands. The affected products included:

• CVS Health: Lubricant Eye Drops, Multi-Action Relief Drops, Lubricating Gel Drops
• Leader (Cardinal Health): Dry Eye Relief, Eye Irritation Relief
• Rite Aid: Gentle Lubricant Gel Eye Drops, Multi-Action Relief
• Target: Up&Up Dry Eye Relief, Up&Up Extreme Relief
• Walmart: Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drop

Early 2023: EzriCare & Delsam Pharma

In early 2023, the CDC and FDA issued a massive warning regarding EzriCare and Delsam Pharma Artificial Tears due to a severe outbreak of a rare, drug-resistant strain of Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Consumers were advised to immediately stop the use of these products manufactured by Global Pharma Healthcare Private Limited.