A new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warns people of a potential link between eyedrops and serious bacterial infections.
The report found that in rare cases, people who used certain eyedrops containing preservatives to treat pink eye, dry eye, and other eye conditions developed severe bacterial infections in the eyes and around the eyelids.
The bacterial species "Pseudomonas aeruginosa" caused the infections.
The CDC is now warning people of the risks associated with using eyedrops containing preservatives. Although the risk is small, the CDC recommends that people talk to their doctor or pharmacist about available non-preserved options.
They also suggest that people should not use eyedrops beyond the expiration date and should throw away the bottle after using it for the recommended length of time.
Additionally, people should always wash their hands before using any form of an eyedrop.
Source: NBCNEWS