When you ever went for an eye exam, did the doctor put something like a yellow liquid in your eye with a small piece of paper? Or did he put yellow drops in it? Did your tears turn yellow after he put it in? Many people are a little scared when they see this. But it's actually nothing to be afraid of. This is a special dye called Fluorescein, which is very important for eye exams. So let's talk about everything in simple terms today.
What is Fluorescein?
Simply put, Fluorescein is a bright yellow-green dye, or pigment . It is a non-toxic substance that is harmless to the eye. It works like dyeing a cloth, making certain things inside the eye visible to us.
This usually comes in two ways:
- Strips: This dye is applied to the tip of a thin paper strip. The doctor will moisten the tip of the strip with a small amount of saline solution and gently place it under your eyelid.
- Eye drops: Sometimes this also comes in the form of drops.
No matter which way you apply it, when you close your eyes, this dye mixes with your tears and spreads throughout your eyes.
Why do doctors use this?
Fluorescein is like a detective's tool to an ophthalmologist. It can reveal many things that the naked eye cannot see. Let's look at the main reasons.
| Usage | What is happening? |
|---|---|
| Identify Corneal Abrasions | A speck of dust, a small insect, or a nail can cause a scratch. These scratches are not usually visible. When fluorescein is applied, the dye is washed away from the healthy parts of the eye, but the yellow color remains where there is a scratch or wound. When the doctor shines a special blue light (cobalt blue light), the area where it was left glows bright green. This allows the doctor to see exactly where the wound is and how big it is. |
| Check if the contact lenses fit properly. | This dye is used to check, especially when fitting hard/rigid gas permeable contact lenses, whether they fit the eye properly, whether they are tight anywhere, or whether the tear film between the eye and the lens is intact. |
| Measuring eye pressure (Tonometry) | This dye is used with some devices that measure eye pressure (applanation tonometry) to check for diseases such as glaucoma. The tear film formed by the dye helps the device measure pressure accurately. |
| Check if the tear ducts are blocked. | Some people's tears collect in their eyes instead of draining out. To see if the tear ducts (the tear ducts) are blocked, a test is done to see how long it stays in the eye (tear breakup time) by injecting Fluorescein into the eye. |
Things you need to tell your doctor before using this
Although fluorescein is a very safe substance, as with any medical test, there are a few things you should tell your doctor.
- If you wear soft contact lenses: This is very important. This dye can permanently stain your soft contact lenses. Therefore, you must remove your lenses before the test.
- About your allergies: Be sure to mention if you have had an allergic reaction to fluorescein, other medications, foods, other dyes, or preservatives.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant: Although this is generally considered safe during pregnancy, it is very important to inform your doctor about your condition.
- If you are a breastfeeding mother: Talk to your doctor about this too.
By telling these things in advance, your doctor can decide what is best and safest for you.
Can this cause side effects?
Serious side effects with fluorescein are rare, but it's good to be aware of what can happen.
Remember, this is something that only a doctor or trained medical professional will use during an eye exam. You will not be allowed to take it home. So there are no problems with missing a dose or taking too much.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor/ETU immediately (rarely occurring) | |
|---|---|
| Severe Allergic Reactions | It is an emergency if you experience symptoms such as skin rash, hives, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips or tongue, or difficulty breathing. However, this is very rare with Fluorescein. |
| Usually nothing to worry about, but if it persists, here are some things to tell your doctor: | |
| Tears turning yellow | It is normal for your tears to turn yellow for a few minutes or hours after applying fluorescein. This will go away after a while. If you have any discharge from your nose, it may also turn yellow. |
| Color change in soft contact lenses | As I mentioned before, if you wear soft contact lenses, this can permanently stain them. That's why you should remove your lenses before the test. |
Things to be careful about after using Fluorescein
The most important thing is that if you wear soft contact lenses , do not put them back in for at least an hour after using Fluorescein. Your doctor may tell you to wait longer, as the dye left in your eye can permanently discolor your lenses. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
Since your tears are yellow, if you wipe them with a tissue, they will also turn yellow. That's normal, don't worry. Also, you may feel a little stinging when you put the eye drops in, but that will go away in a few seconds.
Take-Home Message
- Fluorescein is a safe yellow dye that doctors use to detect things like scratches and wounds on the surface of the eye.
- This is only used by a doctor in a hospital or clinic. It is not a medicine for home use.
- Before the test, be sure to tell your doctor about any allergies you have, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, and if you wear contact lenses.
- It is normal for tears to turn yellow for a while after the test.
- If you wear soft contact lenses, do not put them back in for at least an hour after applying Fluorescein. Follow your doctor's instructions exactly.
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