Week 1.12 Staining Agents

Question 1

What are the 4 main staining agents we use

Answer 1

Fluorescein sodium
Rose bengal
Lissamine green
Indocyanine green

Question 2

Why do we use fluorescein

Answer 2

• CLs aftercare
• dry eye
• suspected ocular surface trauma
• suspected ocular foreign body
• fit of RGP contact lenses
• contact tonometry
• FA
• suspected penetrating injury

Question 3

What can u get Fluorescein as

Answer 3

Impregnated strips
Minims
Minims lidocaine and fluorescein - topical anaesthetic ideally for Goldman tonometry

Question 4

Why don’t we use multidose dropper bottles for fluorescein

Answer 4

We don’t use multi dose of fluorescein as its an ideal breeding ground for pseudomonas aeruginosa (microorganism that is responsible for some really serious corneal infections) so single use minims or fluorets

Question 5

Rose bengal

Answer 5

• conjunctival staining check
• main use was identification of keratoconjunctivitis sicca - dryness of ant surface due to tear film, blinking or eyelid deficiencies

Question 6

Lissamine green

Answer 6

Stains devitalised cells
Good for conjunctival staining checks
Less useful for cornea due to visibility against iris
Produce less ocular irritation than rose bengal aided with red filter

Question 7

Indocyanine green

Answer 7

• used in angiography
  Alternative dye to fluorescein