GOC fluorescein update

New guidance on the use of fluorescein products has been issued by the GOC following the classification of fluorescein ocular strips as a medicinal product by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency.

'Optometrists and contact lens opticians can safely and legally use fluorescein Minims as this product is licensed for use in the UK,' said the GOC.

The GOC added it was working with optical bodies to obtain evidence on the safety of using alternative fluorescein products. 'We hope this evidence will inform the wider debate about whether other fluorescein products should be classified, in the future, as safe to supply and use in optical practice,' said the GOC.