CVS Eye Drops Recall Lawsuit | 2026 Latest Updates

CVS eye drops have drawn FDA warnings, a recall and consumer class action claims. A March 2026 recall covers three lubricant eye drop products sold by CVS over potential microbial contamination.

The FDA warned consumers in 2023 about 26 eye drop products, among them CVS Health lubricant drops. A consumer class action filed September 17, 2023 alleges CVS Health Pink Eye Relief Drops were misbranded.

CVS Pink Eye Drops were also covered by a $3.575 million Similasan settlement. No MDL exists, and no injury lawsuit names CVS eye drops. If you still have recalled bottles, stop using them.

Latest CVS Eye Drops Lawsuit Updates

October 5, 2026: FDA Classifies Second K.C. Pharmaceuticals Recall

Health.com reported that the FDA classified a second K.C. Pharmaceuticals recall of more than 4.85 million packages as Class II [1]. The report does not name CVS among the retailers.

The March 2026 recall that covered CVS Lubricant Eye Drops is a separate recall. CVS customers with those three products should follow the instructions in the March recall.

May 14, 2026: Khan Class Action Filed Against Alcon

Courthouse News reported that a class action, Khan v. Alcon, was filed on May 14, 2026 over Alcon eye gels [2]. Alcon is the defendant, and CVS is not named.

The case is separate from the lawsuit over CVS Health Pink Eye Relief Drops. It concerns Alcon eye gels, not CVS-brand drops.

April 3, 2026: NBC News Reports Class II Eye Drop Recall

NBC News reported on an FDA notice of a K.C. Pharmaceuticals recall of 3,111,072 bottles of eye drops sold at CVS, Walgreens and Rite Aid [3]. The FDA classified the recall as Class II.

The recall began in early March. The manufacturer is based in Pomona, California, and the FDA cited a lack of assurance of sterility.

March 4, 2026: CVS Posts Recall Notice for Lubricant Eye Drops

CVS posted a recall notice for three CVS Lubricant Eye Drops products [4]. The manufacturer was recalling them for potential microbial contamination.

The notice covers redness reliever and dry eye formulas. It offers a full refund at CVS Pharmacy and lists the SKU and lot numbers affected.

October 15, 2025: Similasan Settlement Claims Deadline

PIX11 reported that claims were due October 15, 2025, in the $3.575 million Similasan class action settlement [5]. It covered CVS Pink Eye Drops bought between September 11, 2017 and February 20, 2025.

The class action, as PIX11 describes it, claimed Similasan deceptively labeled eye drops as homeopathic and sterile. Similasan denies the allegations.

October 27, 2023: FDA Warns Consumers About 26 Eye Drop Products

NPR reported that the FDA warned consumers not to use 26 over-the-counter eye drop products, including CVS Health lubricant eye drops [6]. The FDA had recommended a recall on October 25, 2023.

The brands were CVS Health, Leader, Rugby, Rite Aid, Target Up & Up and Velocity Pharma. CVS, Rite Aid and Target were removing the products in stores and online, according to the FDA.

September 17, 2023: Jordan Class Action Filed Against CVS

A proposed class action was filed against CVS Pharmacy, Inc. in Jordan v. CVS Pharmacy, Inc., No. 1:23-cv-00979, over CVS Health Pink Eye Relief Drops.

The complaint alleges the packaging claims make the drops an unapproved drug under New York General Business Law. It cites the FDA warning letter to CVS.

September 12, 2023: FDA Sends Warning Letters Including CVS Health

The FDA sent warning letters to CVS Health, Walgreens and six other companies over unapproved ophthalmic products, Becker’s reported [7]. The list named CVS Health’s Pink Eye Relief Drops. The eight companies had 15 days to respond.

What Are CVS Eye Drops?

According to the FDA, ophthalmic drug products are drugs applied to the eyes and are intended to be sterile [8]. They pose a potential heightened risk of harm because they bypass some of the body’s natural defenses.

CVS eye drops here are CVS Health Pink Eye Relief Drops and CVS Lubricant Eye Drops, sold in CVS Pharmacy stores.

Who May Be Affected?

You may be affected if you bought any of these CVS eye drops:

• CVS Lubricant Eye Drops Redness Reliever .5oz (SKU 797076, UPC 5042843544, lots AR24D01, AR24G02, AR24M01)
• CVS Lubricant Eye Drops Dry Eye .5oz (SKU 895160, UPC 5042839690, lots SU24E01, SU24E02, SU24E03)
• CVS Lubricant Eye Drops Redness Reliever 2x .5fl oz (SKU 994881, UPC 5042844738, lot SU24E03)
• CVS Health Lubricant Eye Drops 15 ml (NDC 76168-702-15), named in the FDA’s October 2023 warning
• CVS Pink Eye Drops bought during the Similasan settlement class period

The March 2026 CVS notice covers the first three products, but only an individual legal review can say whether you have a claim.

Reported Injuries or Damages

No injury is alleged in the Jordan complaint, which concerns misbranding. The FDA said on October 27, 2023 that it had not received adverse event reports of eye infection with the 26 products.

The FDA’s stated risk is eye infection that could cause partial vision loss or blindness. It recommended the recall after investigators found insanitary conditions in the manufacturing facility.

Environmental sampling of critical drug production areas also gave positive bacterial test results. Reports like these do not prove the drops caused any harm.

CBS News reported the FDA’s Class II label for the 2026 recall describes products that may cause “temporary or medically reversible adverse health consequences” [9]. It also applies where “the probability of serious adverse health consequences is remote.”

Recall and Regulatory Background

The FDA’s October 2023 alert led to a voluntary recall by the manufacturer, Kilitch Healthcare India Limited. A recall does not by itself prove liability.

The FDA says anyone with signs or symptoms of an eye infection should talk to a health care provider or seek medical care immediately.

For the March 2026 recall, CVS customers can call KC Pharmaceutical Customer Service at 909-598-9499, Monday through Friday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Pacific Time.

Evidence to Preserve

Keep these items if you used CVS eye drops and had a problem. The lot code on the bottle shows whether it matches the lots in the CVS recall notice:

• Eye drop bottles and packaging, with the lot code, SKU and expiration date
• Receipts, loyalty-card records or bank statements showing the purchase
• Photographs of the product and of any symptoms
• Medical records of eye exams, diagnoses and treatment
• Notes of when you used the drops and when symptoms began
• Messages with CVS, the manufacturer or the FDA

Filing Deadlines

Filing deadlines come from state law. They vary with where a person lives and when the harm and its diagnosis happened.

Missing a deadline can end a claim even when the facts are strong, so timing matters for anyone weighing a claim.

Anyone who thinks they may have a claim should check with a lawyer promptly, because the clock may already be running.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is There a CVS Eye Drops Lawsuit?

There is a CVS eye drops lawsuit: a consumer class action names CVS. The Jordan case is about labeling rather than injury or contamination, and its claims are allegations only.

Can I Join a CVS Eye Drops Class Action?

You can no longer join the Similasan settlement that covered CVS Pink Eye Drops, because its claims deadline has passed. Payments were $2.50 per purchase, capped at $10 without a receipt.

Did the October 2026 Eye Drop Recall Include CVS?

The October 2026 eye drop recall did not name CVS. The retailers named are Walmart, Walgreens and Kroger. CVS customers with the March 2026 lubricant drops should follow the March 2026 recall instructions instead.

Is the Alcon Eye Gel Class Action Against CVS?

The Alcon eye gel class action is not against CVS. Khan v. Alcon was filed by CVS shopper Bibi Khan over Systane Night Gel and GenTeal eye gels, and the claims are allegations.

References

1. https://www.health.com/eye-drop-recall-october-2026-12160892
2. https://www.courthousenews.com/artificial-tears-manufacturer-accused-of-false-advertising-in-consumer-class-action/
3. https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/eye-drops-recalled-safety-fda-walgreens-cvs-rite-aid-rcna266595
4. https://www.cvs.com/content/dam/enterprise/cvsretail/help-assets/recall_pdf/KCPharmaceutical_CVSEyeDrops_797076-895160-994881.pdf
5. https://pix11.com/news/local-news/who-qualifies-for-a-3-5m-class-action-settlement-over-eye-drops/
6. https://www.npr.org/2023/10/29/1209279307/fda-eyedrops-contamination
7. https://www.beckershospitalreview.com/pharmacy/fda-warns-cvs-walgreens-against-selling-unapproved-eye-products/
8. https://www.fda.gov/drugs/drug-safety-and-availability/fda-warns-consumers-not-purchase-or-use-certain-eye-drops-several-major-brands-due-risk-eye
9. https://www.cbsnews.com/news/eye-drops-recall-3-1-million-fda-walgreens-cvs-brand-list/