Expert panel approves fluorescein strips use

A panel of experts convened by the Optical Confederation has given the go-ahead for use of paper impregnated fluorescein strips in clinical investigations in primary care until further notice, stating that the CE marked medical devices possessed minimal risk.

The clinical consensus panel decision will bring relief to practitioners for whom the use of controlled amounts of fluorescein is essential for assessing the health of the anterior eye surface, for tonometry and for some contact lens fitting.

In March 2013, Bausch+Lomb decided to withdraw Fluorets from the market globally for business reasons, rather than product safety concerns. In May the Confederation issued advice to use 1 per cent fluorescein minims while these problems were resolved, but according to the Confederation, B+L recently announced that supply of 1 per cent fluorescein minims had also run out and would not be resumed until later this autumn.