Leader Eye Drops were recalled after reports of eye injuries and infections due to insanitary manufacturing conditions.
What You Can Do & How We Can Help
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Leader Eye Drops induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with a severe eye infection, vision loss, or blindness from Walmart eye drops, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
Leader Eye Drops Recalled for Eye Infection Risk
In October 2023, Cardinal Health Inc. issued a recall for certain LEADER® Eye Drops due to insanitary manufacturing conditions that could result in severe eye infections, vision loss, or blindness.
How Many Injuries Were Reported?
Leader Eye Drops were linked to 3 adverse events, according to the recall notice from Cardinal Health LLC. This information was shared with their supplier, Velocity Pharma, LLC.
Another 3 injuries were linked to Rugby® Eye Drops, which were also supplied by Velocity Pharma LLC. Those injuries included:
- Vision loss
- Blurry vision
- Burning eyes
What Eye Drops Were Recalled?
The FDA issued a Safety Warning for 27 eye drop products, including 6 types of Leader® eye drops. The recalled products include:
- LEADER™ Eye Irritation Relief: (Polyvinyl Alcohol,0.5%, Povidone, 0.6%, and Tetrahydrozoline Hydrochloride, 0.05%), 0.5 FL OZ bottle (15 mL), NDC 70000-0087-1
- LEADER™ Dry Eye Relief: (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, 1%), 0.5 FL OZ bottle (15 mL), NDC 70000-0089-1
- LEADER™ Lubricant Eye Drops: (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, 0.5%), 0.5 FL OZ bottle (15 mL), NDC 70000-0090-1
- LEADER™ Lubricant Eye Drops: (Carboxymethylcellulose Sodium, 0.5%), 2 bottles, 0.5 FL OZ (15 mL) each, NDC 70000-0090-2 (Carton) 70000-0090-1 (Bottle)
- LEADER™ Dry Eye Relief: (Polyethylene Glycol 400, 0.4% and Propylene Glycol, 0.3%), 0.33 FL OZ bottle (10 mL), NDC 70000-0088-1
- LEADER™ Lubricant Eye Drops: (Propylene Glycol, 0.6%), 0.33 FL OZ bottle (10 mL), NDC 70000-0587-1
What Happened?
According to the recall notice, the FDA found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility and positive bacterial test results from environmental sampling of critical drug production areas in the facility.
What is the Risk?
Eye drops are supposed to be sterile because they are applied directly to the eyes, which bypasses some of the body’s natural defenses. If the eye drops are contaminated with bacteria, it can cause a severe infection that permanently damages the eyes or causes blindness.
Eye Infection Outbreaks Can Be Deadly
Eye infections can also be deadly, depending on the type of bacteria. In early 2023, an outbreak of antibiotic-resistant Pseudomonas
infections was linked to EzriCare Artificial Tears. At least 4 people died when the infections spread from their eyes into their bloodstream, and another 81 people were infected, including many who lost their vision.
Do I have a Leader Eye Drops Lawsuit?
The Schmidt Firm, PLLC is currently accepting Leader Eye Drops induced injury cases in all 50 states. If you or somebody you know was diagnosed with a severe eye infection, vision loss, or blindness from Walmart eye drops, you should contact our lawyers immediately for a free case consultation. Please use the form below to contact our Defective Drug Litigation Group or call toll free 24 hours a day at (866) 920-0753.
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