VITAL STAINING OF EXTERNAL EYE OF RABBIT. by Fluorescein, Rose bengal, Tetrazolium, and Alcian Blue

Abstract

Normal albino rabbits [50] [Oryctolagus cuniculus] had 1% fluorescein and 1% rose bengal instilled into the right eye and 1% tetrazolium and 0.25% alcian blue into the left eye. The cornea was stained by fluorescein in no more than 2%, by rose bengal frequently (48%) and intensely, often over the area coverable by the nictitating membrane and by tetrazolium in 28%. Rose bengal stained the nictitating membrane and often follicles along the border. Marx'' line was regular, festoon-shaped. Unlike the human Marx'' line, that of the rabbit does not continue through the punctum lacrimale found 3 mm behind the lid margin at the nictitating membrane. The passage of tears takes a few minutes. The alcian-blue-stained mucous thread resembled the human thread. Percentage values and mean staining grades were stated for the individual regions.