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Experimental staining of the anterior lens capsule in albino rabbits
S A Gamal Eldin1, E M el Mehelmy, E M el Shazli
1Department of Ophthalmology, Kasr al aini Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Egypt.
Purpose:
To study the value and safety of staining the anterior lens capsule in albino rabbits.
Setting:
Ophthalmology Department, Cairo University, and Ophthalmic Pathology Department, Research Institute of Ophthalmology, Cairo, Egypt.
Methods:
The experiment was divided into 3 stages. First, the capacity of different concentrations of crystal violet solution to stain the anterior lens capsule of postmortem albino rabbit eyes was tested. The toxicity of different concentrations of the dye (2% to 0.25%) was then tested to determine the highest concentration that was nontoxic to the cornea and trabecular meshwork. The third step was to detect possible toxicity of lower concentrations (0.1% to 0.05%). Different dye concentrations were injected into the anterior chamber of the rabbit eyes. The eyes were examined after 1 and 3 days, 1 week, and 1 month using light microscopy and scanning and transmission electron microscopy.
Results:
Different concentrations of crystal violet stained the anterior lens capsule, allowing for easy capsulorhexis. The use of the 2% and 1% concentrations was accompanied with irreversible damage to all corneal layers. The use of the 0.5% concentration caused damage to stromal keratocytes and endothelium. The use of the 0.25% concentration did not damage any corneal layer or the trabecular meshwork. Lower concentrations of 0.1% and 0.05% also stained the capsule, providing good visibility for successful capsulorhexis, and were less toxic to the corneal endothelium.
Conclusion:
Staining the anterior lens capsule with 0.25% to 0.05% concentrations of crystal violet solution caused no injury to the cornea or trabecular meshwork in albino rabbit eyes.