United States: The US Food and Drug Administration stated that Systane brand eye drops were pulled out of the market due to possible fungal contamination.
Contamination Found in Single-Use Vials
FDA said in a statement that many Systane Lubricant Eye Drops Ultra PF were recalled due to a consumer complaint of the “presence of a foreign object inside a sealed single-use drop bottle.” The characterization of the material settled that it was ‘fungal in nature,’ as reported by NBC.
Health Risks for Users
The contamination could potentially lead to conjunctivitis that “may be sight compromising and in extremis life-threatening in immunocompromised patients,” the release stated.
RECALL: One lot of Systane brand eye drops were voluntarily recalled due to possible fungal contamination, the USDA announced. https://t.co/UOpzkgODa8
— KDKA (@KDKA) December 28, 2024
The Food and Drug Administration said it has yet to hear of customers being harmed by the product despite Alcon Laboratories, the company that manufactures the eye drops, stating that they have not had any complaints.
Details of the Recall
The impacted eye drops are in the small on-the-go single vials in a pack of 25 with the lot number 10101 expiring in September 2025. A notice from Publix, the grocery stated that it sold the product that has been recalled.
The drops are intended to relieve burning and itchiness, commonly associated with anyone suffering from dry eyes.
The FDA revealed that people who have bought the eye drops should cease using them and can return them for a refund or replacement. People should seek the advice of their doctor if they have any of the symptoms at all.
Alcon’s Response
Speaking to Alcon, a customer complained of finding a foreign object in a pack and was informed by Steven Smith, an Alcon spokesperson, that while the company is yet to complete its investigation, it has only established that the presence of the foreign material is in the single unit that was returned by the customer,as reported by NBC.
Mr Ribeiro said Alcon made the recall ‘’as a precautionary measure to protect consumers.’’