Dyes are used in current ophthalmological practice, both as diagnostic and therapeutic aids. Commonly used dyes include sodium fluorescein, indocyanine green, rose bengal and methylene blue. The properties of these agents are outlined, along with indications for their use. The article concentrates mainly on intravenous sodium fluorescein and fundus fluorescein angiography, although topical and intracameral use of other dyes is highlighted. Ocular tissue responses are discussed, in particular those of the retinal vasculature and choroidal circulation. The normal blood-retinal barriers and pathology of abnormal angiography findings is presented. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous dye are discussed, along with potential systemic complications.
Scarring causes the irreversible loss of vision seen in macular degeneration and retinal detachment. Treatment of both conditions is ineffective. Cells within the retina, retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE), are pivotal in the formation of these diseases. Modifying the behavior of these cells may help in controlling the scarring process. We have shown that RPE involved in scarring, unlike normal RPE, express a cell surface sugar called the Thomsen Friedenreich (TF) antigen. Binding by a naturally occurring substance from the common mushroom, called a lectin, can inhibit key RPE functions that are crucial to scar formation. The present study investigates the potential of conjugating this lectin and/or a monoclonal antibody to the TF antigen with known anti‐proliferative agents (e.g. Mitomycin) in order to evaluate if the anti‐scarring effects of the agents are additive.
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