Health Canada Recalls Contact Lenses Over Quality Issue

A sign is displayed in front of Health Canada headquarters in Ottawa on Jan. 3, 2014. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

Health Canada has issued a recall for some contact lenses due to concerns about quality.

The recall includes Total1 and Total30 contact lenses, sold by Alcon Laboratories. The company said there were problems with a solvent used for the lenses.

“The solvent contained an unexpected long-chain hydrocarbon substance, which was found to remain present in the finished contact lenses,” an Aug. 26 Health Canada notice said. “As a result, the identified lots may not meet Alcon’s performance standards for the entirety of its shelf life.”

Recalled products include Dailies Total1 One-Day Contact Lenses For Astigmatism, Soft Contact Lens delefilcon A Multifocal, and Total30 (Lehfilcon A) Soft Contact Lenses.

Several lot numbers have been recalled and are listed on the Health Canada website.

The recall comes days after the company reported increased sales of vision care products, including its contact lenses.

Alcon saw a 4 percent increase in sales of vision care products for a total of $1.1 billion in the second quarter of 2024, according to an Aug. 20 news release.

Contact lens net sales were $636 million, a 7 percent increase. The company said this was driven by product innovation and price increases.

Alcon also noted a drop of 1 percent in sales of its ocular health products, for a total of $423 million.

The company said that it saw “continued strength” from the Systane brand of artificial tears.

Eye Drops Recall

Alcon’s Systane eye drops were not on the list of a mass recall issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in late 2023. The notice warned consumers that some products could cause eye infections.

In August 2023, Health Canada issued a recall of all lots of Cromolyn Eye Drops in the 10-millilitre bottles due to microbes in the product that could lead to an eye infection.

The over-the-counter drops are used to treat seasonal allergic conjunctivitis in adults and children aged 5 years and older.

A company test showed that the preservative in the product might not be effective in preventing the growth of microbes like moulds or bacteria.

Health Canada said the risk was greatest to those with compromised immune systems, such as those with cystic fibrosis, cancer, or similar illnesses.