A piercing gaze, to say the least. In Ireland, a patient consulting her ophthalmologist for a routine examination was the victim of a small protocol error. Which temporarily gave her eyes a very unnatural tint. Neon green.
A routine examination that turns into a striking anecdote
Margerita B. Wargola consulted for a classic ophthalmological check-up. As is often the case during this type of appointment, a battery of tests was planned, including the instillation of contrast eye drops intended to facilitate the examination of the eye.
In practice, this eye drop must be administered directly into the eye, without contact lenses. However, that day, an essential detail was forgotten: the nurse did not ask the usual question, nor checked if the patient was wearing lenses… which was indeed the case.
The reaction was immediate.
“I blinked and everything turned yellow”she says in a video shared on social networks.
“We both panicked. I rinsed with saline, took out my lenses, rinsed again, I apologized, I rinsed several times. But the stain remained.”
Result: his lenses, impregnated with fluorescent product, gave his eyes a particularly striking intense green tint.
The role of fluorescent eye drops in ophthalmology
As Dr Gérald Kierzek explains, the main fluorescent eye drops used in ophthalmology and emergencies is that based on sodium fluorescein (around 0.5%). “This product fluoresces green when viewed under blue or ultraviolet light.”
Its use is common and very useful for diagnostic purposes. In particular, it allows:
- Reveal epithelial defects of the cornea;
- Detect corneal ulcers or certain conjunctivitis;
- Evaluate tear permeability (Jones test);
- Identify possible post-surgical leaks (Seidel phenomenon);
- Participate in measuring intraocular pressure during certain examinations.
The dosage is generally simple: one to two drops per eye before the examination, with the possibility of rinsing afterwards. Side effects remain rare and are most often limited to slight local irritation.
Contact lenses: an essential precaution
This incident recalls a basic rule in ophthalmology: systematically remove contact lenses before instilling any diagnostic eye drops, whether fluorescein or other dyes such as rose bengal.
In fact, lenses, especially soft ones, can absorb the dye, become tinted and prolong the coloring of the eye. It is then recommended to wait 15 to 30 minutes before putting lenses back on, after rinsing thoroughly with sterile water or physiological serum.
In the present case, forgetting this check therefore had a very visible consequence, but benign on a medical level.
A return home… with an alien look
Lacking a replacement pair, Margerita found herself in a situation as unusual as it was improbable: having to return home with fluorescent lenses giving her an almost extraterrestrial look.
© Instagrma – margoinireland
Unsightly, sure, but necessary. Suffering from severe myopia, she could not drive without visual correction.
“The only thing I could do was put my lenses back in so I could see while driving on the way home. That’s how I came home.”she says, ultimately amused by the experience.
Since then, the amused woman has decided to keep these precious colored lenses in a drawer, she admits in another video. “Maybe I’ll use them for St. Patrick’s Day one day.”she laughs.