BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuFluorescein eye stainThis is a test that uses orange dye (fluorescein) and a blue light to detect foreign bodies in the eye. This test can also detect damage to the cornea. The cornea is the outer surface of the eye. How the Test is Performed A piece of blotting paper containing the dye is touched to the surface of your eye. Sometimes the dye comes in a drop form which also contains anesthetic. You are asked to blink. Blinking spreads the dye and coats the tear film covering the surface of the cornea. The tear film contains water, oil, and mucus to protect and lubricate the eye.The health care provider then shines a blue light at your eye. Any problems on the surface of the cornea will be stained by the dye and appear green under the blue light.The provider can determine the location and likely cause of the cornea problem depending on the size, location, and shape of the staining. How to Prepare for the Test You will need to remove your eyeglasses or contact lenses before the test. How the Test will Feel If your eyes are very dry, the blotting paper may be slightly scratchy. The dye may cause a mild and brief stinging sensation if there is no anesthetic used. Why the Test is Performed This test is to:Find scratches or other problems with the surface of the cornea Reveal foreign bodies on the eye surface Determine if there is irritation of the cornea after contacts are prescribed Normal Results If the test result is normal, the dye remains in the tear film on the surface of the eye but does not show any abnormal areas. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may point to:Abnormal tear production (dry eye) Blocked tear duct Blocked tear ductA blocked tear duct is a partial or complete blockage in the pathway that carries tears from the surface of the eye into the nose.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Corneal abrasion (a scratch on the surface of the cornea) Corneal abrasionCorneal injury is a wound to the part of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue that covers the front of ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Foreign bodies, such as eyelashes or dust (foreign object in eye) Foreign object in eyeThe eye will often flush out small objects, like eyelashes and sand, through blinking and tearing. DO NOT rub the eye if there is something in it. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection Injury or trauma Severe dry eye associated with arthritis (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) Often the test is done to check for any of the conditions listed above. Risks If the dye touches the skin, there may be a slight, brief, discoloration. It may stain your clothing or other fabric.Open ReferencesReferencesFowler GC. Corneal abrasions and removal of corneal or conjunctival foreign bodies. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 200.Knoop KJ, Dennis WR. Ophthalmologic procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 62.AllVideoImagesTogFluorescent eye test - illustration The fluorescent eye test is useful in determining if there is a scratch or other problem with the surface of the cornea. It can also be used to detect foreign bodies on the surface of the eye, and determine if there is an injury to the eye or eye infection. The test is performed by administering dye onto the eye's surface. After the dye has thoroughly covered the eye a cobalt blue light is then directed on the eye. The light causes the dye to glow green. Abnormalities in the corneal epithelium will cause the dye to stain that region.Fluorescent eye testillustrationFluorescent eye test - illustration The fluorescent eye test is useful in determining if there is a scratch or other problem with the surface of the cornea. It can also be used to detect foreign bodies on the surface of the eye, and determine if there is an injury to the eye or eye infection. The test is performed by administering dye onto the eye's surface. After the dye has thoroughly covered the eye a cobalt blue light is then directed on the eye. The light causes the dye to glow green. Abnormalities in the corneal epithelium will cause the dye to stain that region.Fluorescent eye testillustration Tests for Fluorescein eye stain Fluorescein eye stainRelated Information Corneal injury(Condition)Eye - foreign object in(Special Topic)Blocked tear duct(Condition) Review Date: 2/12/2023 Reviewed By: Franklin W. Lusby, MD, Ophthalmologist, Lusby Vision Institute, La Jolla, CA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Fluorescein eye stainThis is a test that uses orange dye (fluorescein) and a blue light to detect foreign bodies in the eye. This test can also detect damage to the cornea. The cornea is the outer surface of the eye. How the Test is Performed A piece of blotting paper containing the dye is touched to the surface of your eye. Sometimes the dye comes in a drop form which also contains anesthetic. You are asked to blink. Blinking spreads the dye and coats the tear film covering the surface of the cornea. The tear film contains water, oil, and mucus to protect and lubricate the eye.The health care provider then shines a blue light at your eye. Any problems on the surface of the cornea will be stained by the dye and appear green under the blue light.The provider can determine the location and likely cause of the cornea problem depending on the size, location, and shape of the staining. How to Prepare for the Test You will need to remove your eyeglasses or contact lenses before the test. How the Test will Feel If your eyes are very dry, the blotting paper may be slightly scratchy. The dye may cause a mild and brief stinging sensation if there is no anesthetic used. Why the Test is Performed This test is to:Find scratches or other problems with the surface of the cornea Reveal foreign bodies on the eye surface Determine if there is irritation of the cornea after contacts are prescribed Normal Results If the test result is normal, the dye remains in the tear film on the surface of the eye but does not show any abnormal areas. What Abnormal Results Mean Abnormal results may point to:Abnormal tear production (dry eye) Blocked tear duct Blocked tear ductA blocked tear duct is a partial or complete blockage in the pathway that carries tears from the surface of the eye into the nose.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Corneal abrasion (a scratch on the surface of the cornea) Corneal abrasionCorneal injury is a wound to the part of the eye known as the cornea. The cornea is the crystal clear (transparent) tissue that covers the front of ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Foreign bodies, such as eyelashes or dust (foreign object in eye) Foreign object in eyeThe eye will often flush out small objects, like eyelashes and sand, through blinking and tearing. DO NOT rub the eye if there is something in it. ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection Injury or trauma Severe dry eye associated with arthritis (keratoconjunctivitis sicca) Often the test is done to check for any of the conditions listed above. Risks If the dye touches the skin, there may be a slight, brief, discoloration. It may stain your clothing or other fabric.Open ReferencesReferencesFowler GC. Corneal abrasions and removal of corneal or conjunctival foreign bodies. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler's Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 200.Knoop KJ, Dennis WR. Ophthalmologic procedures. In: Roberts JR, Custalow CB, Thomsen TW, eds. Roberts and Hedges' Clinical Procedures in Emergency Medicine and Acute Care. 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 62.