Anaphylactic response to topical fluorescein 2% eye drops: a case report

IntroductionThe intravenous use of fluorescein 10% during retinal angiography can cause severe systemic reactions including, on rare occasions, anaphylaxis. Fluorescein 2% eye drops are used extensively for clinical examination and diagnosis, but to the best of our knowledge, they have only been reported as being responsible for a systemic anaphylactic response on two previous occasions.Case presentationWe report the case of a 51-year-old woman who developed an anaphylactic reaction when she was administered fluorescein sodium 2% eye drops after cataract surgery.

This was the second time she had been exposed to fluorescein. She had brittle asthma and a history of anaphylaxis following exposure to a variety of drug and food allergens.

She was successfully resuscitated and recovered completely over a period of two days.

Conclusions: Fluorescein 2% drops are universally used in general practice, ophthalmology, optometry, and casualty departments. Our case report reveals the potential for this benign eye drop to cause a life-threatening systemic reaction and emphasises the importance of considering this consequence when administering topical fluorescein 2% to a patient with a history of anaphylaxis to other allergens.

Author: Humma ShahidJohn Salmon
Credits/Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports 2010, 4:27

Published on: 2010-01-29

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Comments Page 1 of 1

pat

Posted 849 days ago

recently I have developed allergies to my glaucoma eye drops, when receiving flluorescein for an eye pressure check yesterday, my eye lids became swollen, and covered with hives.

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