title: Investigation of the retinal biocompatibility of acid violet for chromovitrectomy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective was to investigate the retinal biocompatibility of acid violet (AV) as a vital dye for chromovitrectomy. The secondary objective was to evaluate the capacity of AV to stain the anterior capsule of the lens.
  
  
  METHODS
  An amount of 0.05 ml of 0.25 g/l and 0.5 g/l AV was injected intravitreally in the OD, while balanced salt solution (BSS) was applied in the OS for control. Clinical examination and histology with light microscopy (LM) were performed after 7 days. Retinal cell layers were evaluated for morphologic alterations and number of cells. The electroretinographic (ERG) changes were assessed at baseline and 7 days. In another part of the study, 0.1 ml of 0.25 g/l AV was injected into the anterior chamber of ex-vivo porcine eyes, and its capacity to stain the anterior capsule was determined. Cadaveric eyes were used to test the capacity of AV to stain the internal limitant membrane (ILM) during vitrectomy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The gross histopathologic appearance of the retina, choroids, sclera, and optic nerve was within normal limits, without any signs of severe retinal necrosis or cystic degeneration. AV caused no substantial retinal alterations in retinal layers by LM at either the lower or higher dose when compared with the control eye. The injection of AV did not induce considerable ERG alterations. The violet dye stained the anterior capsule after anterior chamber injection and the ILM, allowing a safer capsulorrhexis and vitrectomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Acid violet may be safe for the retina at concentrations of 0.25 and 0.50 g/l after intravitreous injection, and may be used as a vital dye for staining the anterior capsule and the ILM.
authors: Department of Ophthalmology, Vision Institute (IPEPO), Federal University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. ebadaro@me.com
authors: Emmerson Badaró
authors: EB
authors: Cardoso
authors: Milton
authors: M
authors: Moraes-Filho
authors: Eduardo B
authors: EB
authors: Rodrigues
authors: Mauricio
authors: M
authors: Maia
authors: Fernando M
authors: FM
authors: Penha
authors: Eduardo Amorim
authors: EA
authors: Novais
authors: Rodrigo A
authors: RA
authors: Souza-Lima
authors: Carsten H
authors: CH
authors: Meyer
authors: Michel Eid
authors: ME
authors: Farah
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002452:Cell Count; D002863:Chromogenic Compounds / Q000633:toxicity*; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D007903:Lens Capsule, Crystalline / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D009994:Osmolar Concentration; D020419:Photoreceptor Cells, Vertebrate; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D051245:Retinal Bipolar Cells; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes / Q000633:toxicity*; D013552:Swine; D014821:Vitrectomy
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D002863:Chromogenic Compounds; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; C031693:violet BNP