Increase in lens capsule stiffness caused by vital dyes

Abstract

No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

An evaluation of two heavier-than-water internal limiting membrane-specific dyes during macular hole surgery

“…This in turn might alter the ILM separation plane and provide an explanation for our findings. The mechanism for the increased rigidity is uncertain but may relate to collagen cross linking [24,25]. We therefore measured ILM thickness but found no significant difference between the two dyes.…”

“…Indeed increased rigidity is one of the explanations given for the surgically experienced feeling that ILM is easier to peel after staining [24]. In experiments with anterior lens capsule , a material of similar composition to the ILM albeit thicker, the degree of increased rigidity induced by the dye varies by the type of dye used, with a less pronounced effect being found with trypan blue than BBG [25]. Atomic force measurements have not been performed with AV17 but it is possible that it induces less increase in rigidity than BBG using the contact time used.…”

Surgery at the vitreoretinal interface: Current concepts and future prospects

“…This fact may very well explain the observation made during vitreoretinal surgery that the stained ILM can be peeled off easier and in larger fragments [Figure 1]. [57]…”

Effect of vital dyes on human corneal endothelium and elasticity of Descemet’s membrane

“…No such increase in stiffness was found in the absence of light, suggesting a dominant role of photochemical mechanisms. Haritoglou et al screened the mechanical effect of multiple dyes on lens capsule stiffness, including TB and Coomassie BB (which is found in MB but not in TB) [ 34 ]. Both molecules led to an increase in lens stiffness already in the absence of light, with a further increase in stiffness upon irradiation.…”