gms | German Medical Science

Background: During vitreoretinal surgery vital dyes such as Brilliant Blue (BBG) are used to visualize anatomical structures. By adding deuteriumoxide (D2O) many surgeons try to create a dye mixture heavier than water to facilitate staining of the inner limiting membrane (ILM) without preceding fluid-air exchange. However, the intraocular use of D2O is critical. This study investigated the effect of 0.4 ml BBG (Brilliant Peel™ 0.25 mg/ml, Fluoron, Ulm, Germany) mixed with 0.13 ml/ml D2O on retinal function of a pseudo in vivo model using human whole mount cultures.

Methods: Human retinas were isolated and superfused with an oxygen saturated nutrient solution before the electroretinogram (ERG) was recorded. BBG mixed with 0.13 ml/ml D2O was applied epiretinally for a staining period of 60 seconds. ERG-recovery was monitored for 75 minutes. For obtaining a-waves1 mM aspartate was added to the nutrient solution.

Results: Reductions of the a- and b-wave amplitude were found directly after exposure with BBG in all test series. These effects on the electroretinogram were rapidly and completely reversible within the recovery time for all exposure times. Between the ERG-amplitudes no differences were found before and after dye application at the end of the washout.

Conclusions: The clinically used mixture of BBG and 0.13 ml/ml D2O seems to be safe for clinical use. Longer staining periods than 60 seconds were not tested.