The effects of the intraocular dye brilliant blue G (BBG) mixed with varying concentrations of glucose on retinal function in an isolated perfused vertebrate retina.
BACKGROUND
During vitreoretinal surgery, vital dyes such as brilliant blue G (BBG) are used to visualize anatomical structures. By adding glucose to a concentration of 5%, many surgeons try to achieve a dye mixture heavier than water to facilitate staining of the ILM without preceding fluid-air exchange. However, the intraocular use of high glucose concentrations is critical. This study investigated the effect of 0.4 ml BBG (Brilliant Peel™ 0.25 mg/ml, Fluoron, Ulm, Germany) mixed with various glucose concentrations on the retina in an pseudo in vivo model


METHODS
Bovine retinas were isolated and superfused with an oxygen saturated nutrient solution, and the electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded. BBG mixed with 0.05 ml/0.1 ml/0.15 ml glucose 40% was applied epiretinally. ERG recovery was monitored for 75 minutes. 1 mM aspartate was added to the nutrient solution to obtain a-waves.


RESULTS
After application of BBG/0.05 ml 40% glucose, a non-significant decrease of the b-wave amplitude was recorded (11.2%). In contrast, higher glucose concentrations showed a significant decrease of the b-wave (23.40% at 0.1 ml glucose, 26% at 0.15 ml glucose). The a-wave amplitudes showed no significant change at the end of the washout for all concentrations.


CONCLUSIONS
The clinically used mixture of BBG and glucose seems to be safe up to a concentration of 5%. However, higher concentrations of glucose starting from 10% showed strong evidence of a toxic effect on the retinal function and should be avoided.
Januschowski
Kai
K
Department of Ophthalmology I, Eberhard-Karls University of Tuebingen, Germany. Kai.Januschowski@med.uni-tuebingen.de
Mueller
Sebastian
S
Spitzer
Martin S
MS
Lueke
Matthias
M
Bartz-Schmidt
Karl-Ulrich
KU
Szurman
Peter
P
D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000633:toxicity*; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects*; D005947:Glucose / Q000633:toxicity*; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects*; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes / Q000633:toxicity*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D004338:Drug Combinations; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D005947:Glucose; C004692:coomassie Brilliant Blue