title: Micropunctate fluorescein staining of the human corneal surface: microerosions or cystic spaces? A non-contact photomicrographic in vivo study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study in vivo the phenomenon of micropunctate fluorescein staining of the human corneal surface.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were examined in the slit-lamp and photographed by the means of photomicrography. The staining pattern of fluorescein was compared with that of superimposed rose bengal staining.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The staining patterns showed a great correspondence.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings indicate that micropunctate fluorescein staining probably reveals disruptions of intercellular junctions permitting penetration and accumulation of stained fluid beneath diseased cells in situ.
authors.affiliation: Lund University, Department of Ophthalmology, Malmö University Hospital, Sweden.
authors.forename: H M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Tabery
mesh_terms: D002452:Cell Count; D003315:Cornea / Q000473:pathology*; D003316:Corneal Diseases / Q000473:pathology*; D003560:Cysts / Q000473:pathology; D019793:Fluorescein; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006801:Humans; D010784:Photomicrography / Q000379:methods*; D011677:Punctures / Q000379:methods*; D012395:Rose Bengal
chemical_list: D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D012395:Rose Bengal; D019793:Fluorescein