If you have additions or updates for this list, please contact us.

Manufacturer backorders

This list highlights popular dry eye drops/gels/ointments and scleral lens solutions currently known or believed to be subject to a prolonged manufacturer backorder. The "Last updated" column indicates when we last verified this information directly with the manufacturer. We add a product to this list only when we find (1) it has been unavailable direct from the manufacturer for at least three months without explanation, or (2) when we know that local and online shortages are affecting patients.

NOTE: Just because a product is on this list doesn't mean you can't buy it! Most products on this list are available from retailers. They are on the list as a point of reference if you are not able to get what you need from your usual sources at present, and a heads up about potential future issues affecting popular products. 

Product	Company	Est. availability	Notes	Last updated
DRY EYE
Refresh PM ointment LacriLube ointment	Allergan	Refresh PM is on its way to distributors and stores now! Refresh Lacrilube is expected to be available later in July.	Available 7/15 in the dry eye shop	7/11/19
Genteal PM, Systane PM	Alcon		Intermittent backorders	June 2019
Retaine HPMC	Ocusoft	No date		6/5/19
Lubrifresh	Major	No date		6/14/19
	Walgreens	?	No information. Rumored discontinued.	3/15/19
	CVS	?	No information. Rumored discontinued.	3/15/19

 

Recalls

Products	Company	Which lots recalled?	Alternatives
Walmart Equate brand: Equate Restore PM ointment (generic for Refresh PM) Many other Equate brand eye drops, gels and stye ointment	Altaire Pharmaceuticals	Press release has all the details Please check any you have that are on this list!
Various prescription ointments Puralube OTC	Altaire Pharmaceuticals	See this press release

Discontinued products

Product	Company	Suggested alternatives	Notes
Puralube	Perrigo		Discontinued early 2019 Also recalled July 2019
Oasis Lid & Lash Gel Cleanser	Oasis Medical	Oasis Lid & Lash Cleansing Pads	They are expecting to re-introduce a modified version of this product in 2020.
Unisol 4	Alcon	Purilens Plus	Discontinued in 2015
Retaine PM 3.5g size	Ocusoft	Soothe PM (Bausch & Lomb)	Retaine PM 5g size will be available later this year.
Possibly 1 or more generic PF artificial tear			Unconfirmed report of Walgreens discontinuing their generic for Refresh Plus, and some evidence online of shortages of this and one or two other brands.
Walgreens Lubricant Eye Ointment	Walgreens		Assumed discontinued (missing for ~1 year)
CVS Health Nighttime Dry-Eye Relief	CVS		Assumed discontinued (missing for ~1 year)