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What is actually stained by rose bengal?
1Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101.
Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)
|July 1, 1992
Summary
Rose bengal dye stains healthy cells, contrary to belief. Its staining indicates compromised tear film protection, not cell death, offering a new interpretation for ocular surface disorders.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Cell Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Conventional knowledge suggests rose bengal dye selectively stains degenerated or dead cells and mucous strands.
- This dye is widely used in ocular diagnostics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the staining properties of rose bengal on healthy cells.
- To elucidate the mechanism behind rose bengal staining in ocular surface disorders.
Main Methods:
- Cultured rabbit corneal epithelial cells were stained with varying concentrations of rose bengal.
- Cell vitality, morphology, motility, and detachment were assessed post-staining.
- The effect of tear components (mucin, albumin) and light exposure on staining and cell viability was evaluated.
Main Results:
- Rose bengal stained healthy cultured cells, including rabbit corneal epithelial cells, in a dose-dependent manner.
- Staining was rapid, predominantly nuclear, and detectable visually and microscopically at low concentrations.
- Rose bengal exhibited intrinsic toxicity, causing cell death, which was exacerbated by light exposure.
- Tear components blocked staining, suggesting the preocular tear film protects against it.
- Staining correlated with compromised tear film protection, not necessarily cell death.
Conclusions:
- Rose bengal is not a vital dye and possesses intrinsic toxicity.
- The presence of rose bengal staining on ocular surfaces is linked to inadequate preocular tear film protection.
- This finding offers a novel interpretation for rose bengal staining patterns in various ocular surface diseases.