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Abstract
For decades, contact lens practitioners have reached for
their stock of fluorescein to given them information about the
state of the ocular surface in their patients. We believe
that the green patches tell us something about the health of the
cornea and conjunctiva with the areas which are stained showing
either a loss of cells or damaged cells. Is this actually the
case?
This presentation will adopt an evidence-based approach
to review the use of fluorescein in contact lens practice and
review its presentation, application and clinical
observation.
In fact, very little is published about fluorescein use
in contact lens practice, and we seem to be very reliant on
clinical tuition to manage cases where fluorescein staining is
observed, rather than using a more solid basis for our
actions. In fact, the term 'staining' might be incorrect, at
least in some cases. It's time, therefore, to challenge received
wisdom and to reconsider what we really know about corneal
staining.
Learning objectives
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To review the physical characteristics of sodium fluorescein
and its optimal use in clinical practice
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To discuss the various patterns of fluorescein staining and
their interpretation
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To present the mechanisms of ocular surface fluorescein at the
cellular level
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To review the 'solution staining debate' and what it reveals
about the interaction between lenses and solutions, and the
interpretation of corneal staining
Tillbaka
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