Over Half a Million Eye Drops Recalled. See Affected Products

Hundreds of thousands of bottles of eye drops sold under several brand names, including Walgreens, are being recalled because the products may not be sterile, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

Sterling Pharmaceutical Services LLC, based in Dupo, Illinois, initiated the recall Aug. 20, 2026, according to an FDA enforcement report. The agency classified the recall as Class II on Sept. 21.

The recall includes nine products: lubricant eye drops, a hypertonicity eye solution and a nighttime eye ointment. Consumers should check the product name, lot number and expiration date to determine whether their product is affected.

Which Eye Drops Are Recalled?

The recall covers nine products and 747,844 units in total:

• Cameron Pharmaceuticals Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5% Eye Lubricant, 0.5 fl oz (15 mL): 19,284 bottles
• AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, 0.5 fluid-ounce bottles: 12,864 packs
• AvKare Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium Ophthalmic Solution 0.5%, Lubricant Eye Drops, two-count twin packs: 107,377 packs
• Reliable-1 Laboratories Sodium Chloride Hypertonicity Ophthalmic Solution, 5%, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL): 11,083 bottles
• Reliable-1 Laboratories Lubricating Tears, 0.5 fluid ounces (15 mL): 47,616 bottles
• Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium 0.5%, 0.5 fluid-ounce bottles: 301,114 bottles
• Walgreens Lubricant Eye Drops, two-count twin packs: 199,600 packs
• TRP The Relief Products Gentle Eyes Lubricant Eye Drops, Carboxymethylcellulose sodium 0.5%: 14,538 bottles
• Major LubriFresh P.M. Nighttime Ointment, 0.125 ounces (3.5 g) tubes: 34,368 tubes

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What Does a Class II Recall Mean?

The FDA says a Class II recall means exposure to or use of a recalled product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences, or the risk of serious consequences is remote. The recall concerns a lack of assurance that the products are sterile.

What Should Consumers Check?

The FDA’s enforcement report includes specific lot numbers and expiration dates for the affected products. Compare those details with the information on your eye-drop package to determine whether it is included in the recall. If it is, the FDA suggests stopping use immediately and speaking with a doctor.

USA TODAY contacted Sterling Pharmaceutical Services on Oct. 2 for comment but had not received a response at publication time.