What You Should Know about Eye Drops | FDA

Ophthalmic drug products, such as eye drops, pose a heightened risk of harm to users because drugs applied to the eyes bypass some of the body’s natural defenses. Any drug used in the eyes must be sterile to reduce the risk of infection. Eye drops are available by prescription or sold as OTCs.
— Read on www.fda.gov/drugs/buying-using-medicine-safely/what-you-should-know-about-eye-drops