Xiao Xu, a student in Jiangxi, felt eye discomfort and ordered "Qiye Yangdihuang Shuanggan Eye Drops" (a prescription drug also known as "Stulln") from a short-video platform.

Looking closely, the product he received was "Qiye Yangdihuang Shuanggan" with a mouth radical "咁" instead of the correct "苷". Its package showed manufacturer Nanyang Chuangxi Industrial Co., Ltd., with an address in QuTun Town, Zhenping County, Henan. The product claimed a group standard: "Yu Jian Tuan Biao Yong Zi [2023] No. 6119" issued by Henan Health Products Industry Chamber. On the chamber's website, the registered name was: Skin Care Liquid (external use), with a note "avoid contact with eyes".

Reporters complained to the QuTun market supervision office, who said they inspected the factory and found products removed. But when reporters visited the address, no factory was found. Later, the office said "the address has always been virtual registration, no factory exists".

At the QuTun office, staff on duty didn't know the factory's location or penalties. As of press time, the look-alike "Qiye Yangdihuang Shuanggan" eye drops are still sold online.

At the Henan Health Products Industry Chamber, staff said that after paying membership fees and passing expert review, companies receive the "Yu Jian Tuan Biao" number to promote effects. For efficacy claims, product risk assessment is needed, including expert review and testing by a designated private hospital. Fees: 10,000 RMB per year to the chamber, plus 1,000 RMB per expert (three experts), and product testing at their designated hospital. They claimed more than 500 member companies.

While investigating in Nanyang, reporters noticed "Feiwenling Eye Drops" and "Blueberry Lutein Eye Drops" online, claiming to relieve eye discomfort. What are these products, and what approval did they undergo?

Reporters, posing as distributors, visited the manufacturer of "Feiwenling" and "Blueberry Lutein" — Nanyang Aofulai Industrial Co. They said putting "Floaters" directly on the label is difficult, so they used the legally non-binding ™ mark to bypass regulation:

Aofulai: "Feiwen" is borderline, so we added ™. It's just an eye care liquid. Since it's not a drug, we can't call it 'floaters treatment', so we use 'Feiwenling' with ™."

Aofulai claims to have the "Health Product Production Compliance Certificate" — Yu Jian Yong Sheng [2022] No. 0039 from Henan Nutrition and Health Association. The association head said they have over 600 members, with fees ranging from 10,000 to 1,000 RMB per year.

Investigations found multiple associations in Henan issuing such "group standard" numbers. Companies pay to join and use the "Tuan Biao" to promote extra efficacy.

Besides "Yu Jian Yong Sheng" and "Yu Jian Tuan Biao", there is also "Yu Jian Yong Zhun" issued by Henan Health Industry Development Research Association. This one has a lower threshold: a registered office in Henan, passing a test, and an annual fee of 3,000 RMB, allowing production anywhere in the country.

Reporters found online products with "Yu Jian Yong Zhun", including "Sanqingcao Pearl Moisturizing Eye Soothing Liquid" produced by Guizhou Guolian Jianhe Pharmaceutical. It claims to relieve eye fatigue, dryness, blurred vision, photophobia, and tearing in sub-healthy people.

Beyond the three associations' loose checks, some online sellers even claim that "health approval" can be bought and attached:

Seller: You want a "health approval" for your product? In name, you provide the technology, we produce a batch for you, then you sell it. We'll give you a health approval certificate and a letter of authorization. To be blunt, it's a grey-area trick. The product is yours, but the manufacturer on the label will be ours because we have the qualification. Online sales are generally fine.

Reporters then paid 2,600 RMB to obtain an electronic approval document "Yu Jian Tuan Biao Zheng Zi [2021] No. 407" from Henan Shanyun Pharmaceutical.

In fact, as early as February 21, 2010, the former Henan Provincial Health Department issued a notice to abolish health product approval numbers. Yet after more than a decade, the "health approval" has been revived by associations.

Reporters sent the three association-approved products to Shanghai Institute of Quality Inspection and Technical Research for pH, osmolarity, and microbial testing. Results showed abnormal osmolarity and pH in some products; bacterial counts barely met cosmetic standards, but all failed the pharmacopoeia's sterility requirement for ophthalmic preparations.

The test showed "Sanqingcao Pearl Moisturizing Eye Soothing Liquid" had a pH of only 5 (normal tear pH 6.5–7.8) and osmolarity of 592 mOsm/L (normal 280–320). What does this mean for eyes? Song Zhihui, deputy chief pharmacist at Beijing Tongren Hospital, explained the direct impact on corneal epithelial cells.

Song Zhihui: Proper eye drops should have pH close to tears (6.5–7.8) and osmolarity around 280–320. If these parameters deviate, long-term use can cause severe issues. Acidic pH below 6.5 damages corneal epithelial cell membranes, leading to epithelial shedding and corneal opacity. Extremely acidic pH may cause permanent corneal scarring. Alkaline pH above 8 is even more harmful. Low osmolarity causes cells to swell and disrupt structure; high osmolarity causes dehydration and atrophy. Crucially, conjunctival goblet cells that protect the ocular surface will decrease under chronic hyperosmolarity, making the tear film unstable and worsening dry eye. Once corneal stromal scarring or goblet cell loss occurs, it is irreversible.

The test also showed bacterial counts met cosmetic standards but failed the pharmacopoeia's sterility requirement. Song stressed that eyes are not skin, and cosmetic standards must never be applied to eye drops:

Song Zhihui: Cosmetic standards allow a certain number of bacteria because they are applied to skin. But eyes are not skin; the pharmacopoeia requires ophthalmic preparations to be sterile. The difference is fundamental. Putting non-sterile liquid into the eye can cause bacterial conjunctivitis, redness, and discharge. If untreated, bacteria may spread to the cornea, causing keratitis or corneal ulcers, and in severe cases, corneal perforation or endophthalmitis. For those with weak ocular surface defenses, infection risk multiplies. Endophthalmitis is one of the most severe ophthalmic emergencies; even with full treatment, some patients may lose vision. I want to make it clear: products made to cosmetic standards have no right to be instilled into eyes — they can cause serious adverse events. Do not use them.

Regarding health products claiming to relieve dry eyes or blurred vision, Song emphasized that these symptoms may hide serious eye diseases:

Song Zhihui: Symptoms like eye dryness, distension, blurred vision, and diplopia may look common, but behind them could be allergic conjunctivitis, glaucoma, cataracts, or macular degeneration. Do not replace medical consultation with products; you don't know what disease you have. Misuse delays diagnosis. Some products contain vasoconstrictors that mask symptoms while the disease progresses. Some contain steroids that can induce glaucoma or cataracts with long-term use, worsening the original condition. If diagnosed, always use medication under a doctor's guidance, not fall for commercial gimmicks.

In the face of dazzling eye care products, we remind consumers: when buying eye care products, always look for the "National Drug Approval Number" (Guo Yao Zhun Zi). Other marks like "health approval", "disinfection approval", or "cosmetic approval" are not drugs or medical devices — they must never be put into eyes, or they will pose health risks.