GloStrips

What is this medication?

GloStrips are specialized diagnostic tools used by eye care professionals to visualize the surface of the eye during a clinical examination. These sterile paper strips are coated with fluorescein sodium, a specialized dye that glows when exposed to specific wavelengths of blue light. When a strip is moistened and touched to the eye, the dye spreads across the tear film and collects in areas where the corneal surface may be damaged or irregular, making it easier for a physician to identify issues like corneal abrasions, ulcers, or dry eye patterns.

These strips are also essential for several common ophthalmic procedures, including the fitting of contact lenses and the measurement of internal eye pressure. By highlighting the tear layer, the medication allows practitioners to observe how a lens sits on the eye or to obtain accurate readings during applanation tonometry. While the dye temporarily colors the eye and tear film, it is not a therapeutic drug used to treat infections or diseases; rather, it serves as a temporary indicator to help healthcare providers reach an accurate diagnosis.