Tetrazolium-alcian blue mixture. I. Vital staining of cornea and conjunctiva.

Abstract

A mixture of 1% iodonitrotetrazolium and 1/4% alcian blue effects specific vital staining of the cornea and conjunctiva, with enzyme‐containing, degenerate cells assuming a red colour and mucus a blue. The investigation comprised 307 eyes.The double staining showed that mucus does not tend to become deposited on the surface of degenerate cells that are still alive enough to possess enzymatic activity.Punctate red staining of the tarsal conjunctiva is a characteristic feature of chronic simple conjunctivitis (inferior tarsus stained in 37%, superior tarsus in 50%, altogether in 60% of eyes).In keratoconjunctivitis sicca we find not only mucus and degenerate cells in the exposed sections of the cornea and the bulbar conjunctiva, but also degenerate cells with enzymatic activity on the tarsal conjunctiva. Staining in other conditions is described, and the conclusion is drawn that this specific vitalstain mixture is indicated in conjunctivitis and other conjunctival disorders, but contra‐indicated in cases of lesions not covered by epithelium.