Fluorescent dyes demonstrate the uniform expansion of the growing rabbit cornea

Thiocyanate and triazinyl chloride derivatives of fluorescent dyes have been employed for the covalent labeling of components of the connective tissue of the rabbit cornea. Collagen is the major macromolecular component that becomes dyed. Some of the stromal components that are labeled by these reagents in the first two weeks of life persist over many months, but are progressively dispersed over a greater area consistent with a uniform expansion of the tissue with growth without complete turnover. These dyes may find useful application in the morphologic study of other persistent connective tissue components during development and wound healing.