Flurocin

Indications

Fluorescein Sodium is an orange-yellow dye used to help diagnose eye problems. As eye drops or impregnated paper strips, it is used by eye doctors and optometrists to show scratches, ulcers or foreign bodies on the cornea (the clear front of the eye), to measure eye pressure, to check tear flow and to fit hard contact lenses. As an injection into a vein, it is used for fluorescein angiography, a test that photographs the blood vessels at the back of the eye in conditions such as diabetic eye disease and macular degeneration.

How It Works

Fluorescein glows bright green when blue light is shone on it. On the eye surface it collects in areas where the outer layer is damaged, making them easy to see. When injected, it travels through the bloodstream to the eye, and a special camera records how it flows through the retinal blood vessels, showing leaks, blockages or abnormal new vessels.

Dosage and Administration

Fluorescein is used only by eye care professionals. For eye drops or strips, a small amount is placed in the lower eyelid during the examination. For angiography, a single dose is injected into a vein in the arm by a doctor or nurse, as prescribed, while photographs are taken. It is not for home use.

Interactions

Few interactions are known. People taking beta blockers (such as Propranolol) may respond less well to emergency treatment if a severe allergic reaction occurs, so tell the doctor about them. After injection, fluorescein can interfere with some blood and urine laboratory tests for a day or two. Fluorescein drops should not be mixed with other eye drops in the same bottle.

Contraindications

• Known allergy to Fluorescein.
• Injection into the spine or an artery.
• Drops or strips should not be used with soft contact lenses in place, because the lenses become stained.

Side Effects

Eye drops and strips: brief stinging and a temporary yellow tint to vision or tears. Injection: the skin may look yellowish for several hours and urine turns bright yellow or orange for 1 to 2 days, which is harmless. Nausea, vomiting, dizziness, a metallic taste, itching or hives can occur. If the dye leaks out of the vein it can cause pain and swelling. Rarely, severe allergic reactions, fainting or breathing difficulty occur.

Get urgent medical help if you have difficulty breathing, wheezing, swelling of the face, lips or throat, a widespread rash, chest pain or collapse after the test, or severe pain at the injection site.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Eye drops and strips are considered safe in pregnancy. Angiography is usually avoided during pregnancy, especially in the first three months, unless the doctor decides it is essential. After an injection, fluorescein passes into breast milk; the doctor may advise pausing breastfeeding for a short time, expressing and discarding milk.

Precautions and Warnings

• Tell the doctor about any previous reaction to dyes, asthma or allergies before angiography.
• Equipment and medicines to treat allergic reactions should be ready during injection.
• Your pupils may be dilated for angiography: do not drive until your vision is back to normal.
• Wait until the dye has cleared from the eye before inserting soft contact lenses, usually at least 30 minutes after drops, or as advised.

Overdose

Overdose is unlikely because the dye is given by professionals in measured amounts. Too much may increase nausea and vomiting. Treatment is supportive.

Therapeutic Class

Diagnostic agent; ophthalmic dye.

Storage

Store as directed on the pack, below 30°C, protected from light and moisture, and out of the reach of children. Do not freeze. Single-use strips and vials should be discarded after use.