Related to this topic: Leaflets | Support | Patient+ | Diagrams | Weblinks | Equipment | Books | Your Experience | Other resources | Glossaries
Print options: Printer friendly version of this leaflet (html)     Other options:  AddThis Social Bookmark Button (what's this?)

PatientPlus articles are written for doctors and so the language can be technical. However, some people find that they add depth to the articles found in the other sections of this website which are written for non-medical people.

Ocular Diagnostic Preparations

Fluorescein sodium1

Topical

  • Use - identification of corneal epithelial defects and perforation (Seidel test).
  • Action - absorbs light in the blue wavelength and emits green fluorescence.
  • Administration - a single drop is sufficient.
  • Additional information - remember to warn patients that their eye will look yellow but that this readily wears off. There may also find that handkerchieves stain yellow for several hours after when they blow their nose. Stains contact lenses.

Seidel test to detect a wound leak:2

  • Apply concentrated fluorescein (e.g. 2% solution or directly from a moistened fluorescein strip) over the suspect area of the anaesthetised cornea, whilst observing the site with a slit lamp.
  • If there is a leak, the fluorescein dye appears as a bright green fluid oozing from the orange dye concentrate.

Systemic

  • Use - in specialist units to perform fundus angiography.
  • Administration - intravenous: it remains largely intravascular and circulates in the blood stream. Patients are monitored for allergic reactions during and after the procedure.
  • Side-effects3 - discolouration of skin (yellow tinge) and urine, vomiting, itching, sneezing, syncope, allergic reactions including anaphylaxis.
Rose bengal
  • Use - detection of corneal and conjunctival damage.
  • Action - stains damaged conjunctival and corneal cells.
  • Additional information - may cause local irritation on application, advise patients of temporary coloured staining of the eye.
Document references
  1. Summary of Product Characteristics, fluorets; Fluorescein sodium. Chauvin Pharmaceuticals Ltd: electronic Medicines Compendium. Last updated September 2007.
  2. Kunimoto DY, Kanitkar KD, Makar MS; The Wills Eye Manual, 4th Edition, 2004, Lippincott, Williams and Wilkins. ISBN: 0-7814-4207-2
  3. Kanski J. Clinical Ophthalmology, A Systematic Approach, 5th Ed, 2003, Butterworth Heinemann. ISBN 0-7506-5541-0
AcknowledgementsEMIS is grateful to Dr Olivia Scott for writing this article. The final copy has passed scrutiny by the independent Mentor GP reviewing team. ©EMIS 2007.
DocID: 375
Document Version: 1
DocRef: bgp26086
Last Updated: 7 Nov 2007
Review Date: 6 Nov 2008






Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Advertise on this site



Disclaimer: Patient UK has no control of the content of the above links. Inclusion does not imply endorsement by Patient UK.

Advertise on this site

PS - Health and Poverty

Perhaps the biggest cause of ill health in the world is poverty. Help to Make Poverty History. For example, why not lend some of your money to disadvantaged communities to enable them to trade their way out of poverty through schemes such as Shared Interest.

See also MAKEPOVERTYHISTORY North East for details and links to campaigns against poverty.

^ Top of Page