Ophthalmic diagnostic dye Pregnancy: Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established; use only when considered essential by the physician.

Fluorescein sodium

Brand names: Minims fluorescein

Fluorescein sodium is a fluorescent diagnostic dye used in ophthalmology for applanation tonometry, contact lens fitting, detecting corneal epithelial damage and, by injection, for retinal angiography.

Auto-extracted from the source labelling — not yet independently clinician-verified. These values were distilled from the UK SPC (or the US label where noted) but have not had a clinician sign-off. Confirm against the current SmPC before prescribing.

Adult dose

Dose: Instil dropwise into the eye; sufficient solution to stain the damaged areas

Route: Ophthalmic (topical eye drops)

Frequency: As required for diagnostic staining

Minims Fluorescein Sodium 2% eye drops solution. Adults, Children and the Elderly: instil dropwise into the eye. Sufficient solution should be applied to stain the damaged areas; excess may be washed away with sterile saline solution. Diagnostic ophthalmic staining agent - no fixed numeric dose stated. Single-use unit - discard after a single use (Pseudomonas aeruginosa grows well in fluorescein solutions).

Dose auto-extracted from UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC) via the eMC; US FDA prescribing information (openFDA / DailyMed) — cross-check; US labelling may differ from UK — not yet clinician-verified. Always confirm against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Contraindications

Not to be used with soft contact lenses

Side effects

Allergic conjunctivitis, peri-orbital oedema (very rare)
Anaphylactic reaction (very rare)
Urticaria, rash (very rare)

Interactions

None known

Clinical monograph

How it works

It is an inert dye that fluoresces under blue light and pools in areas of epithelial loss or leaks from abnormal retinal vessels, making defects and vascular abnormalities visible.

Prescribing in practice

Intravenous fluorescein for angiography can rarely cause serious anaphylactoid reactions, so resuscitation facilities must be available; topical diagnostic use is much lower risk.
Soft contact lenses should be removed before applying topical fluorescein, as the dye can stain them.
Patients should be warned that injected fluorescein temporarily discolours the skin and urine.

Monitoring

When given intravenously, observe the patient for hypersensitivity reactions during and shortly after administration.

Counselling the patient

After an injection your skin may look yellowish and your urine bright orange for a short time, which is harmless.
Remove soft contact lenses before the dye is used.
Tell the clinician about any previous reaction to fluorescein.

Evidence & guidelines

Fluorescein is a standard ophthalmic diagnostic dye for surface staining and retinal angiography, with use guided by the SPC.

Reference: Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. The structured dose values shown have been reviewed by a clinician. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators

Pathways