DrB’s tips for safer eye drop shopping
IMPORTANT: The following are steps that can help identify suspicious eye drops. These steps cannot, however, ensure that what you are purchasing is safe. Over-the-counter eye drops are not reviewed or approved by the FDA, and OTC eye drops purchased online may not be in compliance with Federal law even if they are listed in the FDA’s drug database. Please read FAQ about Eye Drop Safety.
1. Who are you purchasing from?
Avoid unfamiliar sellers.
Purchase from the manufacturer or trusted, verified reseller.
On Amazon (or Walmart), always identify the seller. (Remember: Purchasing ON Amazon does not mean you are purchasing FROM Amazon.)
We strongly recommend against purchasing from e-commerce sites without US or Canadian contact information, including a valid phone number.
See DrB’s video for more tips.
2. Is it listed on DailyMed?
Consumers should not purchase an eye drop that is not listed on DailyMed.
Even if the eye drop or eye ointment has excellent reviews and is described as being made (for example) “to the highest European standards,” if the product is not listed on DailyMed the seller is illegally importing it. There is no guarantee that the product(s) were maintained within the proper temperature range during transportation. The possibility also exists that the seller is dumping product which cannot be sold for some reason in the country of manufacture (e.g. too close to expiration).
CAREFUL: Looking up products on DailyMed is sometimes tricky. The listed name may or may not include the brand name. If you cannot find a product on DailyMed, use the Advanced Search to make sure it really isn’t there.
3. Is it preservative-free?
If so, check the packaging carefully.
Because the FDA does not review OTC Daily Med listings, companies which sell only through e-commerce can obtain Daily Med listings for their products and sell them even though those eye drops may be dangerous in some way. The greatest concern is that the eye drop requires preservative but does not contain preservative.
Consumers should never purchase a product advertised as “preservative free” unless it has a multi-dose preservative free dropper or is packaged in single-use vials. See the video for an explanation of different dropper types.