A patient presents one day after a penetrating corneal injury repaired elsewhere. Slit-lamp examination is performed with 2% fluorescein and cobalt blue illumination. A dark rivulet is seen streaming through an otherwise uniform orange pool. What does this finding indicate?
- A Corneal epithelial defect only
- B Seidel-positive sign: full-thickness wound leak ✓
- C Corneal stromal oedema
- D Band keratopathy
Correct answer: B. Seidel-positive sign: full-thickness wound leak
Explanation
The Seidel test is positive when fluorescein is diluted by leaking aqueous humour, producing a dark stream within the orange dye under cobalt blue light. It confirms a full-thickness corneal or scleral wound with active aqueous leak, even if the wound appears sealed clinically. It is a key sign in suspected occult globe rupture.
Reference: AAO BCSC Section 8: External Disease and Cornea, 2023-2024 ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.