Fluorescein (AK-Fluor, Fluor-l-Strip, Ophthifluor)

Category:

  • Miscellaneous

Description:

  • Ophthalmic diagnostic agent

Indications:

  • Diagnostic aid in identifying foreign bodies, hard fitting contact lenses, fundus photography, tonometry, identifying corneal abrasions, retinal angiography

Contraindications:

  • Soft contact lenses (lenses may become discolored)

Precautions:

  • Pregnancy category C; avoid parenteral use, especially in 1st trimester, excreted into breast milk

  • History of allergy, asthma

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

  • CNS: convulsions, dizziness, headache, paresthesia

  • CV: bradycardia, cardiac arrest, hypotension, shock, syncope

  • EENT: burning, conjunctival redness, pruritis, stinging, urticaria

  • GI: gi distress, nausea, strong taste

  • GU: bright yellow discoloration of urine

  • RESP: acute pulmonary edema, bronchospasm, dyspnea

  • SKIN: severe local tissue damage with extravasation, yellowish discoloration of skin

Dosage:

Administered as topical ophthalmic solution and intravenously

  • Adult:            

    • Detection of foreign bodies/corneal abrasions: 

      • Ophth 1 drop 2% solution, allow a few seconds for staining, wash out excess with sterile irrigation solution

      • STRIPS moisten strip with sterile water, place moistened strip at the fornix in lower cul-de-sac close to the punctum, have patient close lid tightly over strip until desired amount of staining obtained

    • Retinal angiography: 

      • IV 500-750mg injected rapidly in antecubital vein

  • Child:   

    • Retinal angiography: 

      • IV 7.5mg/kg injected rapidly in antecubital vein

Special Consideration:

  •  May cause temporary yellowish discoloration of skin (fades in 6-12 hours)

  •  Urine will appear bright yellow (fades in 24-36 hours)

  •  Soft contact lenses may be replaces after thorough rinsing, and the passage of at least 1 hour

Source: Operational Medicine 2001,  Health Care in Military Settings, NAVMED P-5139, May 1, 2001, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, Department of the Navy, 2300 E Street NW, Washington, D.C., 20372-5300

Gynecology and Obstetrics CD-ROM
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2004 Edition
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