One day after gardening, a patient complains of eye irritation with a suspected corneal abrasion. Which finding supports this diagnosis?

• A. Increased intraocular pressure
• B. Rust ring
• C. Hazy cornea
• D. Fluorescein uptake

Answer: (D)

Fluorescein staining is the best way to confirm a corneal abrasion. When the corneal epithelium is disrupted, fluorescein dye collects in the underlying stroma and, under cobalt blue light, the defect lights up as bright green. This staining directly visualizes the area of epithelial loss, making it the most specific sign of a corneal abrasion.

Increased intraocular pressure points to glaucoma, not a surface abrasion. A rust ring suggests a retained metallic foreign body in the cornea, which may accompany trauma but is not the staining finding of an epithelial scrape. A hazy cornea can result from edema or infection and isn’t as specific for a discrete epithelial defect. If fluorescein uptake is present, it confirms the abrasion, guiding appropriate management like topical antibiotics and close follow-up.