By Jordana Joy, Associate Editor
The alert follows a warning letter issued by the US FDA to a company that manufactures eye drops that claim to change eye color.
The American Optometric Association (AOA) has issued a new alert urging consumers to consult with their local AOA OD before purchasing or using OTC eye drops that claim to change eye color.1 The alert follows a warning letter2 that was issued in February by the US FDA to LightEyez Limited, a company manufacturing the products, according to a news release. The FDA had originally warned consumers about Dr. Berne’s MSM Drops 55 Solution and LightEyez MSM Eye Drops – Eye Repair due to bacterial contamination, fungal contamination, or both in August 2023.3
The AOA emphasized in the release that there are currently no FDA-tested or approved color-changing eye drops. “When talking with a doctor of optometry, it’s important to share any prescribed and over-the-counter medications currently in use and ask for their professional opinion. This can also help ensure that the correct treatment plan is in place,” the release said.
According to the FDA warning letter, microbial contaminants found in LightEyez Limited eye drops include Pseudomonas spp., Mycobacterium spp., Mycolicibacterium spp., and Methylorubrum spp.2 “The presence of microorganisms in conjunction with the route of administration poses a high risk to patients. Using contaminated eye drops could result in a range of ocular infections, from minor to serious vision-threatening infections which could progress in some cases to a life-threatening infection,” the letter stated.
Read more: rb.gy/fdacve
Source: Optometry Times