Fluorescein

Mechanism-of-action classes: Dyes; Imaging Contrast Activity.

• For testing tear film stability by determining the fluorescein break-up time (FBUT).

• Hypersensitivity to components or mercury-containing compounds.contraindicated

DIRECTIONS FOR USE Procedure for measuring Fluorescein Break-up Time (FBUT) with Amcon Dry Eye Test Strips. 1. Apply one or two drops of non-preserved saline to the impregnated paper tip. Excess fluid will automatically fall off. Shaking is neither required nor desirable. 2. Ask the patient to look down and in. 3. Gently touch the strip to the superior temporal bulbar conjunctiva for one or two seconds. 4. Ask the patient to blink three times and open eyes naturally. 5. Conduct the FBUT measurements immediately. 6. Perform two consecutive measurements. If not consistent, conduct a third and average the results. 7. Repeat steps 1 through 6 using a new strip for the second eye FBUT values of less than 10 seconds are considered abnormal. Values less than 5 seconds are indicative of dry eye disorder. Values of 5 to 9 seconds are borderline dry eye. NOTE: The contents may not be sterile if the individual strip package has been damaged or previously opened. This product is intended for external use only. Keep out of reach of children. Store below 30°C.

• Mar 28, 2006NDANDA021980Alcon Labs Inc
• Aug 8, 2008NDANDA022186Long Grove Pharms
• Dec 14, 2017NDANDA208582Altaire Pharms Inc
• Mar 9, 2020NDANDA211039Bausch Lomb Ireland
• Sep 25, 2023ANDAANDA215709Nexus
• Apr 30, 2026ANDAANDA220046Bpi Labs
• Jun 1, 2026ANDAANDA218651Zydus Lifesciences

1. 1Nausea11012%
2. 2Pruritus10311%
3. 3Anaphylactic Shock879.6%
4. 4Rash849.3%
5. 5Dizziness788.6%
6. 6Vomiting748.2%
7. 7Dyspnoea728.0%
8. 8Loss Of Consciousness606.6%
9. 9Urticaria546.0%
10. 10Chest Discomfort535.9%
11. 11Visual Acuity Reduced525.7%
12. 12Hyperhidrosis414.5%
13. 13Syncope414.5%
14. 14Anaphylactic Reaction374.1%
15. 15Blood Pressure Decreased364.0%

Recent PubMed references pinned to Fluorescein as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

• Comparative Analysis of Intravitreal Diffusion Patterns Across Ex Vivo Human and In Vivo/Ex Vivo Animal Models.
  Investigative ophthalmology & visual science · 2026 · Ayalon A, Beryozkin A, Davoli KA, et al.
  PMID 42159438DOI 10.1167/iovs.67.5.56
• Spatially Controlled, Wirefree, Drug Release along a Single PEDOT Film.
  Langmuir : the ACS journal of surfaces and colloids · 2026 · Brady Á, Bieniasz E, Forster R, et al.
  PMID 42133978DOI 10.1021/acs.langmuir.6c00755
• A light-promoted activation fluorescein derivative with unexpected structure for sensing hydrogen sulfide.
  Spectrochimica acta. Part A, Molecular and biomolecular spectroscopy · 2026 · Cheng Y, Jia X, Cao S, et al.
  PMID 41946167DOI 10.1016/j.saa.2026.127862
• Determination of vidarabine using fluorescein sodium probe-based resonance Rayleigh scattering.
  Analytical methods : advancing methods and applications · 2026 · Yang X, Li M, Yin N, et al.
  PMID 41837709DOI 10.1039/d6ay00028b
• Functionalized Fluorescein for Rapid and Colorimetric Assay of Pirimicarb via Halogen and Hydrogen Bonding Synergistic Effect.
  Molecules (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026 · Jin L, Qu G, Yang Y, et al.
  PMID 41828842DOI 10.3390/molecules31050854
• A deep learning-based method for evaluating the fitting states of orthokeratology lenses using fluorescein staining videos.
  Contact lens & anterior eye : the journal of the British Contact Lens Association · 2026 · Lu R, He Z, Niu K, et al.
  PMID 41794006DOI 10.1016/j.clae.2026.102633
• Corneal staining: Beyond the grade.
  The ocular surface · 2026 · Begley C, Braun R, Caffery B, et al.
  PMID 41763457DOI 10.1016/j.jtos.2026.02.013
• Porous Core/Shell CoOOH Nanozymes-Enabled Glow-Type Chemiluminescence Coupled with ZIF-8@Fluorescein for Ratiometric Detection of Organophosphorus Pesticides.
  Analytical chemistry · 2026 · Zhang J, Li L, Jin Z, et al.
  PMID 41730785DOI 10.1021/acs.analchem.5c06043

The 10 most recently updated of 290 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Fluorescein as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.

• Neoadjuvant Tebentafusp for Uveal Melanoma
  Recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 19 enrolled · Thomas Jefferson University
  NCT06414590updated 2026-06-12
• Efficacy of Vevye Ophthalmic Solution for the Treatment of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction
  Recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 48 enrolled · University of Alabama at Birmingham
  NCT07224529updated 2026-06-09
• Bevonescein for Improved Intraoperative Nerve Visualization to Improve Voice Outcomes in Thyroidectomy Patients
  Not yet recruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 40 enrolled · Matthew Spector
  NCT07631650updated 2026-06-08
• Loupe-Based Intraoperative Fluorescence Imaging
  Recruiting · Observational · 30 enrolled · Guoqiang Yu
  NCT04780009updated 2026-06-03
• Intravital Microscopy in Human Solid Tumors
  Recruiting · Interventional · 85 enrolled · Mayo Clinic
  NCT03823144updated 2026-06-02
• Identification of Nerves Using Fluorescein Sodium
  Completed · Phase 2 · Interventional · 8 enrolled · Stanford University
  NCT06054178updated 2026-05-20
• Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy Nodule Localization by Robotic Bronchoscopy
  Completed · Interventional · 53 enrolled · Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation Inc.
  NCT05231278updated 2026-05-13
• TearCare in Young Adults
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 45 enrolled · University of Alabama at Birmingham
  NCT07579156updated 2026-05-11
• Eyelid Taping Alone Versus Taping With Lubricant Eye Drops for Perioperative Corneal Protection
  Not yet recruiting · Interventional · 200 enrolled · Fatih Sultan Mehmet Training and Research Hospital
  NCT07562594updated 2026-05-07
• Correlation and Heterogeneity of the Immune Microenvironment and Histopathological Growth Patterns in Resectable Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases
  Active not recruiting · Observational · 64 enrolled · Meng Qiu
  NCT07564908updated 2026-05-04

Frequently asked questions

How does Fluorescein work?

Mechanism-of-action classes: Dyes; Imaging Contrast Activity.

What is Fluorescein used for?

According to FDA labeling, Fluorescein carries indications including: For testing tear film stability by determining the fluorescein break-up time (FBUT).. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.

What class of drug is Fluorescein?

Fluorescein is classified as Colouring agents, Diagnostic Dye, Dyes, Imaging Contrast Activity.

What are the brand names for Fluorescein?

Fluorescein is marketed under brand names including Altafluor, Flucaine, Fluoracaine.

What are the contraindications for Fluorescein?

Fluorescein labeling lists contraindications including: Hypersensitivity to components or mercury-containing compounds.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.