Fluorescein stain and Ophthalmic procedure

Fluorescein staining : 

• Fluorescein stain is ophthalmic dye basically used for to see the Corneal epithelium abnormalities.

• Fluorescein strips or dye are an essential diagnostic tool in eye care practice. 

• Fluorescein strips useful for doing a many of ophthalmic procedures like measuring intraocular pressure ( IOP ), assessing dry eye and detecting corneal abrasions.

• To stain various corneal pathologies in the epithelium level fluorescein is more commonly used dye in ophthalmology department.

Some corneal epithelium abnormalities examined with Fluorescein test.

1. corneal abrasion

2. Corneal erosions 

3. Corneal filaments

4. Epithelial defects

5. Dendrite in HSV keratitis

6. SPKs, 

7. Seidel’s test

 8. Tear film break up time (TFBUT)

• A fluorescein eye stain test is usually  perform when patient suspected with corneal damage or foreign body sensation. 

• If you wear contact lenses, when some times contact lens induced coeneal defect there also Fluorescein test perform to detect abnormalities .

• During Fluorescein test, a bright dark orange dye called fluorescein is placed onto the outer surface of your eye. 

• Based on the stain eye doctor, Optometrist, ophthalmologists, and Ophthalmic officers can identify any problems with your cornea and diagnose certain conditions.

What Are the Risks of Fluorescein Test ?

Fluorescein test is risk-free. The fluorescein dye may stain for a few days if it touches the skin around.

Some other dye used in Ophthalmic practice

Roy Bengal staining : 

• Is useful for devitalized tissue, dendrite in HSV keratitis, PEE in dry eye and other lesions, conjunctival stain in dry eyes.

• It causes mild to moderate irritations of the eyes.

Lissamine green staining : 

• It is same as rose Bengal, except it does not cause much irritation.