Drug reference

FLUORESCEIN, eye drops

MSF Essential Drugs (January 2026)

Source: MSF Essential Drugs (January 2026)
PDF pages: 579

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels.

Overview

Therapeutic Action

Ophthalmic diagnostic staining agent

PDF page 579

Indications

Detection of corneal or conjunctival epithelial damage

PDF page 579

Safety

Contraindications Adverse Effects Precautions

May cause: local allergic reaction (rare). Wait 15 minutes before administering any other kind of eye drops. Pregnancy: no contra-indication Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

PDF page 579

Dose and formulations

Forms And Strengths

0.5% eye drops in single use vial

PDF page 579

Dosage And Duration

Instill 1 or 2 drops into the conjunctival sac. Ask patient to blink a few times to spread the dye around; remove excess fluorescein and proceed with the examination.

PDF page 579

Clinical care

Remarks

To facilitate the examination, use an ophthalmoscope with a blue filter (increases fluorescence). Under normal light, large lesions are visible but small lesions cannot be detected.

PDF page 579

Storage

– Below 25 °C Vials are designed for single use only; they must be discarded after use.

PDF page 579

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.

Drug reference

FLUORESCEIN, eye drops

MSF Essential Drugs (January 2026)

Source: MSF Essential Drugs (January 2026)
PDF pages: 579

Review source pages for extracted sections and age labels.

Overview

Therapeutic Action

Ophthalmic diagnostic staining agent

PDF page 579

Indications

Detection of corneal or conjunctival epithelial damage

PDF page 579

Safety

Contraindications Adverse Effects Precautions

May cause: local allergic reaction (rare). Wait 15 minutes before administering any other kind of eye drops. Pregnancy: no contra-indication Breast-feeding: no contra-indication

PDF page 579

Dose and formulations

Forms And Strengths

0.5% eye drops in single use vial

PDF page 579

Dosage And Duration

Instill 1 or 2 drops into the conjunctival sac. Ask patient to blink a few times to spread the dye around; remove excess fluorescein and proceed with the examination.

PDF page 579

Clinical care

Remarks

To facilitate the examination, use an ophthalmoscope with a blue filter (increases fluorescence). Under normal light, large lesions are visible but small lesions cannot be detected.

PDF page 579

Storage

– Below 25 °C Vials are designed for single use only; they must be discarded after use.

PDF page 579

Age labels are extracted for navigation. Check the complete source section and current local guidance before clinical use.