What is fluorescein staining used for?

What is fluorescein staining used for?

• A. Applying fluorescein dye to the eye to highlight corneal or conjunctival abnormalities
• B. Measuring intraocular pressure
• C. Visual field testing
• D. Tone measurement

Answer: (A)

Fluorescein staining is a diagnostic technique that uses a fluorescent dye applied to the eye to reveal surface abnormalities. When viewed under cobalt blue light, areas where the corneal or conjunctival epithelium is damaged—such as abrasions, ulcers, or punctate erosions—take up the dye and glow bright yellow-green. This makes it easy to map the health of the ocular surface and identify defects that aren’t obvious otherwise. It’s specifically about highlighting epithelial surface integrity, not about measuring intraocular pressure, testing the visual field, or assessing eye tone.

Fluorescein staining is a diagnostic technique that uses a fluorescent dye applied to the eye to reveal surface abnormalities. When viewed under cobalt blue light, areas where the corneal or conjunctival epithelium is damaged—such as abrasions, ulcers, or punctate erosions—take up the dye and glow bright yellow-green. This makes it easy to map the health of the ocular surface and identify defects that aren’t obvious otherwise. It’s specifically about highlighting epithelial surface integrity, not about measuring intraocular pressure, testing the visual field, or assessing eye tone.