EXCLUSIVE: Why you should NEVER buy generic eye drops, according to eye doctors

Eye health specialists have warned against purchasing store-brand eye drops from drug stores and retailers like CVS and Target.

Speaking to DailyMail.com, ophthalmologists have claimed that facilities where the generic products are produced are more vulnerable to the infiltration of bacteria, compared to more sanitary factories where branded items are made.

Health officials have detected four deaths, 14 cases of blindness and 80 eye infections related to eye drops contaminated with bacteria. 

Experts say it is because facilities that make eye drops for multiple stores produce higher yields but with fewer staff, meaning infection control protocols can be lax.

Dr Will Flanary, an ophthalmologist in Oregon, advised patients to avoid generic eye drops, such as the recently recalled Up&Up Lubricant Eye Drops from Target, and instead opt for name brands like Refresh, which carry a lower risk of bacterial contamination

The US eye drop market is worth around $20billion, and expected to reach $30billion by 2029, according to market research firm Maximize Market Research.

More than half of generic drugs are made overseas, in countries such as China and India. Two thirds of these international factories have never been inspected by the FDA, according to a 2016 Government report. 

The warning comes days after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalled 26 generic eye drop products after a drug-resistant bacteria called pseudomonas aeruginosa – which can cause blindness and, in worst cases, death – was found in the manufacturing facility. 

All of the products deemed to be at risk were store-branded – including those made by CVS, Rite Aid and Target.

Generic drops are much cheaper than branded ones, for instance CVS’ Health Preservative Free Lubricant Eye Drops costs $15.49, while Refresh Optive Mega-3 Lubricant Drops are $22.49.

The FDA did not disclose the location of the factory at fault in the most recent recall, however previous outbreaks involving the same bacteria have taken place in an Indian factory, according to the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

‘It’s always the generic drops that melt people’s eyeballs,’ Dr Will Flanary, an ophthalmologist from EyeHealth North West in Oregon wrote on Twitter in response to the FDA recall. 

‘Generics are great for things like ibuprofen and acetaminophen [a painkiller]. For your eyes, stick to name brands: Refresh, Systane, Blink, Thera Tears.’

Signs of an eye infection include discharge from the eye, pain or discomfort in the area, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling like something is in the eye, increased sensitivity to light and blurry vision

‘We have seen close to 30 over-the counter generic drops cause infections, blindness, or death [in] the last few years,’ Dr Flanary added.

‘None were from the major name brand OTC drops. I’ll stick with those for myself and my patients.

‘I don’t know which generics to trust, so I’ll stick to the brands.’

Dr Brian Boxer Wachler, an eye surgeon in California, told DailyMail.com that it’s possible all of the recalled products came from the same manufacturing facility, which is common with generic OTC medications. 

Dr Brian Boxer Wachler suggested that recalled generic eye drops could be manufactured at the same facility, while name-brand products have their own dedicated factories

‘Generics often come from one or a limited number of manufacturing facilities, and then the various company will stick their own label on it.

‘So this may be one facility that’s providing the drops to the various companies like CVS, Rite Aid, Target, etc.’  

Name-brand OTC eye drops, however, are often produced in a single factory that’s dedicated to the company.

‘Either look for generics from companies that aren’t on the recall list, or look for brand names,’ said Dr Wachler.

The products are supposed to be sterile, FDA warned in its report, meaning they should be free from microorganisms. 

But dirty equipment and clothing, as well as poor use of sanitisation procedures lead to the drops becoming contaminated with bacteria.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signs of an eye infection from Pseudomonas aeruginosa include discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling like something is in the eye, increased sensitivity to light, and blurry vision. 

People with symptoms of an eye infection should seek medical care immediately, the FDA said.