Sodium Fluorescein Staining of the Cornea for the Diagnosis of Dry Eye: A Comparison of Three Eye Solutions

The purpose of this study was to identify which of the eye solutions is best for sodium fluorescein staining of the cornea to diagnose dry eye disease. The study included 173 eyes with suspected or known dry eye disease. The eyes were stained sequentially with sodium fluorescein and each of the following four conditions: balanced salt solution (BSS); BSS and cyclosporine 0.05% emulsion; BSS and lipids containing omega-3; and BSS, cyclosporine 0.05% emulsion, and lipids containing omega-3. Our results showed that compared to BSS alone, artificial tears with cyclosporine 0.05% emulsion and lipids containing omega-3 remain in the cornea for longer periods, thus allowing the clinician to evaluate tear break-up time and visualize corneal punctate erosions.