Tag: Eye care safety

As of September 2024, over 3 million tubes of REFRESH P.M. and REFRESH Lacri-Lube lubricant eye ointments have been recalled by their manufacturer, Abbvie (Allergan), due to a potential issue with the tube seals. This was a Class II recall, meaning the product use may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences. Understanding which REFRESH eye drops are being recalled is critical for consumers to ensure their safety and protect their eye health.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, unopened eye drops are typically safe for one to two years from their manufacturing date, but once opened, the shelf life shortens dramatically. The question, 'Is it okay to use 2 year old eye drops?' therefore has a simple answer rooted in pharmacology and safety: no, it is not. The risks of contamination and reduced effectiveness are far too high for the delicate tissues of the eye.

Over 99% of the liquid from an eye drop is washed away from the eye's surface almost immediately, meaning adding more than one drop per dose is wasteful. Despite this quick exit, you **can I put too much eyedrops in my eye** by overusing them frequently, leading to a variety of adverse effects that may paradoxically worsen your symptoms. The harm comes not from the volume but from the frequency, with consequences ranging from irritation to a potentially dangerous rebound effect.

According to the NHS, if you usually wear contact lenses, you must not wear them while using chloramphenicol eyedrops or ointment. There are several crucial medical and practical reasons why wearing contacts during chloramphenicol treatment is strictly forbidden, as it can worsen the underlying eye condition, compromise the medication's effectiveness, and damage your lenses.

According to the FDA, contaminated eye drops and washes have been linked to serious eye infections, underscoring the critical need for proper product hygiene. This is the central principle behind why does Optrex eye bath need to be discarded after a specific period, usually 28 or 90 days after opening, regardless of how much solution remains.