The Seidel test is used to assess the presence of
aqueous humor leakage from
anterior chamber of the eye.
Leakage may occur due to many
corneal or
sclera
The sclera, also known as the white of the eye or, in older literature, as the tunica albuginea oculi, is the opaque, fibrous, protective, outer layer of the human eye containing mainly collagen and some crucial elastic fiber. In humans, and som ...
l disorders, including corneal post-trauma, post-surgical leak,
corneal perforation and corneal degeneration.
Initially the test was used to detect aqueous humor leakage in postoperative patients, later it expanded to detect other causes or anterior chamber leakage.
Name
The Seidel test was first described by German
ophthalmologist
Ophthalmology ( ) is a surgery, surgical subspecialty within medicine that deals with the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders.
An ophthalmologist is a physician who undergoes subspecialty training in medical and surgical eye care. Followin ...
Erich Seidel
Erich Seidel is a retired West German slalom canoeist who competed in the early 1950s. He won a silver medal in the folding K-1 team event at the 1951 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Steyr
Steyr (; Central Bavarian: ''Steia'') is ...
in 1921.
Procedure
A
fluorescein strip containing 10% fluorescein is applied topically to the affected area, without applying pressure on the eye due to the risk of tissue extrusion.
The fluorescein is examined with a
cobalt blue
Cobalt blue is a blue pigment made by sintering cobalt(II) oxide with aluminum(III) oxide (alumina) at 1200 °C. Chemically, cobalt blue pigment is cobalt(II) oxide-aluminium oxide, or cobalt(II) aluminate, CoAl2O4. Cobalt blue is lighter ...
filter. At this point, the fluorescein appears green in color. Any changes in color or surface of the fluorescence area indicate the presence of corneal leakage. The test is contraindicated in obvious globe rupture, Full-thickness eye laceration, and fluorescein hypersensitivity.
Results of the test
If the
fluorescein strip turns pale upon application to the corneal surface, the person tests positive for the corneal deformity they are being tested for. The change in the color of the fluorescein strip is due to dilution of fluorescein caused by the aqueous leakage in the cornea.
References
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External links
Family Practice NotebookWebMDUS National Library of Medicine, PubMedPatient UK
Diagnostic ophthalmology