rss
Br J Ophthalmol 2005;89:1188-1191 doi:10.1136/bjo.2004.062794
  • Clinical science
    • Extended reports

Retinal tolerance to dyes

  1. C Lüke1,
  2. M Lüke2,
  3. T S Dietlein1,
  4. A Hueber1,
  5. J Jordan1,
  6. W Sickel2,
  7. B Kirchhof1
  1. 1Center of Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Germany
  2. 2Institute of Neurophysiology, University of Cologne, Germany
  1. Correspondence to: Priv-Doz Dr C Lüke Zentrum für Augenheilkunde, Universität Köln, Joseph-Stelzmann-Str 9, D-50924 Köln, Germany; aia18uni-koeln.de
  • Accepted 2 May 2005

Abstract

Background: Dye solutions for intraoperative staining of epiretinal membranes and the internal limiting membrane improve the visualisation of these thin structures and facilitate their removal. In the present study the authors investigated the effects of indocyanine green 0.05%, trypan blue 0.15%, and patent blue 0.48% on bovine retinal function.

Methods: Bovine retina preparations were perfused with a standard solution and the electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded repeatedly. After recording of stable ERG amplitudes the nutrient solution was substituted by one of the dye solutions. The duration of retinal exposure to a dye solution was varied between 10 seconds and 2 minutes. Thereupon, the preparation was reperfused with standard solution for at least 115 minutes. The percentage of b-wave reduction after exposition was calculated.

Results: Reductions of the b-wave amplitude were found for each dye solution tested. The effects after application of patent blue and indocyanine green were completely reversible within the recovery time for an exposure period of 60 and 30 seconds, respectively. The application of trypan blue lead to a loss of the b-wave when the retina was exposed for 15 seconds or longer. This effect was only partly reversible within the recovery time.

Conclusion: The ERG showed toxic effects of trypan blue after a short period of retinal exposure. The intraocular application of trypan blue should be limited to selected cases. However, intraocular application of indocyanine green and patent blue in a sufficient concentration and taking account of a short period of retinal exposure seems possible.

Footnotes

    This Article

    1. Abstract
    2. Full text
    3. PDF

    Responses

    1. Submit a response
    2. No responses published

    Register for free content

    The full back archive is now available for all BMJ Journals. Institutional subscribers may access the entire archive as part of their subscription. Personal subscribers will also have access to all content when logged in. Non-subscribers who register have free access to all articles published before 2006 right back to volume 1 issue 1. Register here to access the free archive of all BMJ Journals.

    Don't forget to sign up for content alerts so you keep up to date with all the articles as they are published.