Fluorescein does not stain a normal cornea but conjunctival abrasions are stained yellow or orange, corneal abrasions or ulcers are stained a bright green and foreign bodies are surrounded by a green ring. Fluorescein can be used in diagnostic examinations including Goldmann tonometry and in the fitting of hard contact lenses.
4.2 Posology and method of administration
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.
4.3 Contraindications
Not to be used with soft contact lenses.
4.4 Special warnings and precautions for use
Special care should be taken to avoid microbial contamination. Pseudomonas aeruginosa grows well in fluorescein solutions, therefore, a single dose solution is preferred. Each Minims unit should be discarded after a single use.
4.5 Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
None known.
4.6 Pregnancy and lactation
Safety for use in pregnancy and lactation has not been established, therefore use only when considered essential by the physician.
4.7 Effects on ability to drive and use machines
May cause transient blurring of vision on instillation. Warn patients not to drive or operate hazardous machinery until vision is clear.
4.8 Undesirable effects
ADRs are very rare(<1/10,000),including isolated reports.Symptoms of allergic-type reactions and anaphylaxis have been reported following topical ophthalmic administration of Fluorescein sodium and may manifest as:Eye disorders: allergic conjunctivitis, peri-orbital oedemaImmune system disorders: anaphylactic reaction Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders: urticaria, rash
4.9 Overdose
Overdose following the recommended use is unlikely.
5. Pharmacological properties
5.1 Pharmacodynamic properties
Fluorescein acts as a diagnostic stain.
5.2 Pharmacokinetic properties
Fluorescein will resist penetration of a normal cornea and most excess solution will, therefore, be carried with the tear film away from the conjunctival sac. The majority will be lost through the naso-lacrimal ducts and absorbed via the gastro-intestinal tract from where it is converted rapidly to its glucuronide and excreted via the urine. If fluorescein crosses the cornea it will enter the Bowman's membrane, stroma and possibly the anterior chamber. Aqueous flow and diffusion into the blood in the anterior chamber finally removes fluorescein from the eye and it is excreted unchanged in the urine.
5.3 Preclinical safety data
There are no preclinical data of relevance to the prescriber which are additional to that already included in other sections of this SPC.
6. Pharmaceutical particulars
6.1 List of excipients
Purified Water
6.2 Incompatibilities
None known.
6.3 Shelf life
Unopened: 15 months.
6.4 Special precautions for storage
Store below 25° C. Do not freeze. Protect from light.
6.5 Nature and contents of container
A sealed conical shaped polypropylene container fitted with a twist and pull off cap. Each Minims unit contains approximately 0.5ml of solution. Each unit is overwrapped in a polypropylene/paper pouch. 20 units are packed into a suitable carton.
6.6 Special precautions for disposal and other handling
Each Minims unit should be discarded after use.
7. Marketing authorisation holder
Bausch & Lomb UK Limited Bausch & Lomb House 106 London Road Kingston-Upon-Thames Surrey, UK KT2 6TN
8. Marketing authorisation number(s)
PL 03468/0074
9. Date of first authorisation/renewal of the authorisation
18/09/2002
10. Date of revision of the text
23/04/2015
Company Contact Details
Bausch & Lomb U.K Limited
Address
Bausch & Lomb House, 106 London Road, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey, KT2 6TN, UK
