Fluorescein Sodium
About Fluorescein Sodium
Fluorescein Sodium is a diagnostic dye used by eye specialists to examine blood flow in the back of the eye. It helps doctors detect, assess, and monitor problems affecting the retina and its blood vessels, including changes caused by diabetes.
Fluorescein Sodium travels through the bloodstream to the blood vessels in the eye. A special camera takes pictures as the dye passes through these vessels, helping your doctor identify areas where blood flow is blocked or where blood vessels are leaking.
Fluorescein Sodium is given as an injection into a vein by a trained healthcare professional during an eye examination. Before the injection, eye drops are usually used to widen your pupils so the retina can be examined clearly. Pupil dilation often takes about 20–30 minutes, and the overall appointment may take around 60–90 minutes, although this can vary depending on the tests required.
Common effects include nausea and temporary yellow colouring of the skin or urine as the dye leaves the body. Serious allergic reactions are uncommon, but tell the medical team immediately if you develop difficulty breathing, hives, severe dizziness, or swelling of the face or throat.
Before the test, tell your doctor if you have previously had a severe reaction to fluorescein, or if you have asthma, severe allergies, kidney problems, or pheochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland). Also tell your doctor about all medicines you take and if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, as additional precautions may be needed.
Uses of Fluorescein Sodium
Medicinal Benefits
Fluorescein angiography provides information about retinal blood flow that can help your doctor assess eye conditions and plan appropriate care.
- Provides detailed blood vessel images: Fluorescein Sodium makes retinal blood vessels easier to see during imaging, including areas of leakage or abnormal blood flow.
- Helps identify changes that may need treatment: The images can help your doctor find and assess changes in the retina that may not be fully visible during a routine eye examination.
- Supports treatment planning and follow-up: The test can help your doctor decide whether treatment is needed and monitor changes in the eye over time.
Directions for Use
- Your doctor will decide the dosage and timing of Fluorescein Sodium before the imaging procedure.
- Fluorescein Sodium will be administered by a doctor or nurse in a healthcare facility.
- Do not self-administer.
Storage
Side Effects of Fluorescein Sodium
Common Side Effects (Usually Mild)
- Temporary yellow colouring of the skin or whites of the eyes
- Bright yellow or orange urine after the test
- Nausea or stomach discomfort
- A temporary unusual or metallic taste in the mouth
Serious Side Effects (Consult your doctor right away)
- Signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as hives or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing, or tightness in the chest
- Severe dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting
- Severe or worsening pain, redness, warmth, or swelling around the injection site
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Mention previous reactions: Tell your healthcare team if you have ever had a severe allergic reaction to fluorescein before.
- Share your medical history: Tell your doctor if you have asthma, severe allergies, kidney problems, or pheochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland), as these may require additional consideration before the procedure.
- Tell the team about your medicines: In particular, mention beta-blockers and any other prescription, over-the-counter, or herbal medicines you use.
- Report discomfort during injection: Tell the medical team if you notice burning, pain, or swelling around the injection site. If the dye leaks outside the vein, staff can stop the injection, examine the area, and provide appropriate local care.
- Expect temporary colour changes: Your skin or urine may temporarily appear yellow or orange as fluorescein leaves your body.
- Plan for pupil dilation: Your pupils may take around 20–30 minutes to dilate, and the full appointment may take around 60–90 minutes depending on the examination and imaging required.
Drug Interactions
- Beta-blockers: Medicines such as propranolol, atenolol, or metoprolol are used for conditions such as high blood pressure and heart problems. Beta-blockers may make a serious allergic reaction more difficult to treat if one occurs. Tell your healthcare team if you take one of these medicines.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionConsumption of alcohol should be avoided.
Pregnancy
cautionBefore taking Fluorescein Sodium, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or suspect you may be pregnant. Your doctor will determine whether or not to give you this medicine.
Breast Feeding
cautionAvoid breastfeeding for two days after receiving fluorescein sodium since it is excreted in breast milk.
Driving
cautionThe angiography technique dilates the pupil. Patients must refrain from driving or using machinery until their eyesight is normal.
Liver
cautionLimited information is available about using Fluorescein Sodium in patients with liver disease. Inform your doctor before receiving the Fluorescein Sodium if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. Your doctor will prescribe only if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Kidney
cautionInform your doctor before receiving the Fluorescein Sodium if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending on your current kidney conditions. If you are on kidney dialysis, your dose may be reduced to half the recommended dose.
Children
unsafeIt should not be used in people under the age of 18.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Follow your clinic's food instructions: Your healthcare team will tell you whether you can eat normally or should avoid food for a period before the test.
- Stay hydrated: Unless your doctor has advised you to limit fluids, drinking enough water after the test can support normal removal of the dye through the urine.
- Bring sunglasses: Dilating eye drops can make your eyes sensitive to bright light for several hours. Sunglasses may make you more comfortable after the examination.
- Avoid driving until your vision is clear: Pupil dilation can temporarily cause blurred vision and sensitivity to light. Wait until your vision has returned to normal before driving or doing tasks that require clear vision.
Special Advise
- Regular eye check-ups are advised before and during the treatment if you have eye problems.
- Protect your eyes from bright light, especially when pupils are dilated.
- Fluorescein Sodium Injection may interfere with the findings of certain blood and urine tests performed within three days of the treatment. If you have urine testing, inform the doctor or nurse that you have had Fluorescein Sodium Injection.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Diagnostic agents are the substances used to examine the eye to detect impairment of its normal functions.
FAQs
Fluorescein Sodium is used in Eye Examination as a diagnostic agent.
Fluorescein Sodium contains the active ingredient fluorescein sodium, which belongs to a class of medications known as diagnostic tools for particular eye tests such as Fluorescein angiography. Fluorescein angiography is a test that allows the blood vessels in the back of the eye to be photographed as a fluorescent dye is injected into the bloodstream. This will assist your doctor in the diagnosis of diseases that affect these blood vessels, especially in elderly people and diabetics.
If an X-ray procedure is performed within 36 hours of injection, the great visibility of particular organs, such as the kidneys, may cause misinterpretation of the results.
Your pupils are usually dilated for the test, which can temporarily blur your vision and make your eyes sensitive to light. Do not drive until your vision has returned to normal. Arrange for someone to take you home if advised by your clinic.
Your pupils usually need time to dilate before the imaging begins, often around 20–30 minutes. The full appointment may take around 60–90 minutes, although the exact time varies depending on the clinic and the imaging needed.
Fluorescein is removed mainly through the urine. Yellow or orange urine and mild yellow colouring of the skin can occur temporarily after the test and usually fade as the dye leaves your body.
You may feel a brief pinch when the needle is placed into your vein. Tell the healthcare team immediately if you develop burning, significant pain, or swelling around the injection site.
If fluorescein leaks into the tissue around the vein, you may notice pain, burning, or swelling. The healthcare team will stop the injection and examine the area. Depending on the amount of leakage and your symptoms, they may elevate the affected limb, apply a cold compress, and monitor the area until it improves.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before the procedure. Your doctor will consider whether fluorescein angiography is needed and discuss the possible benefits and risks with you.
Fluorescein is a yellow-coloured dye. As it moves through your body and is removed in the urine, it can temporarily change the colour of your skin and urine. This effect usually goes away as the dye leaves your body.
Tell your eye specialist and healthcare team before the test. A history of asthma or serious allergies may increase the risk of a reaction, so your healthcare team can decide what precautions are appropriate.
Preparation instructions can vary. Follow the instructions provided by your clinic about eating and drinking before the procedure rather than fasting on your own.
Other eye-imaging tests are available, including optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A), which can image retinal blood vessels without injecting fluorescein, and indocyanine green angiography, which uses a different dye to examine certain blood vessels in the eye. These tests provide different types of information, so your eye specialist will recommend the option that best suits what needs to be examined.
Older adults can undergo fluorescein angiography when their doctor considers it appropriate. Tell your healthcare team about your medical conditions, kidney problems, allergies, and medicines so they can plan the procedure safely.
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