Research Update
Others Research
RESEARCH CHRONICLES
What’s Shaping Eye Care?
Research Update#12
Staining out blindness: Trypan blue in a resource limited setting
Our Focus
This case report was in collaboration between Sudarshan Netralaya, Amreli, Gujarat, and the Shantilal Shanghvi Eye Institute, Mumbai. The research team focuses on finding practical, affordable solutions for diagnosing fungal infections in the eye, especially in settings with limited resources.
What is it about?
The study describes a 35-year-old man with microbial keratitis (a serious corneal infection) in a rural eye centre lacking advanced laboratory facilities. The team used trypan blue dye-a stain commonly available in eye clinics for cataract surgery-to stain corneal scrapings. Under a microscope, the stained sample clearly revealed fungal filaments, allowing for a rapid diagnosis of fungal keratitis. The patient was promptly started on antifungal treatment and showed improvement. The report highlights that trypan blue staining is a simple, quick, and cost-effective method for diagnosing fungal infections of the cornea, especially where standard microbiology labs are not available.
Why it matters
Early and accurate diagnosis of fungal keratitis is critical to prevent vision loss, but many clinics, especially in developing regions, lack access to specialized laboratory tests. This research demonstrates that trypan blue, an inexpensive and widely available dye, can be repurposed for rapid diagnosis of fungal eye infections. This approach can help eye doctors in resource-limited settings make timely treatment decisions, potentially saving sight and improving outcomes for countless patients.
Citation
Kalaria, Hardik; Modi, Palak; Dandekar, Prajakta1; Patel, Prashant. Use of trypan blue dye for diagnosing fungal filaments. Indian Journal of Ophthalmology - Case Reports 5(1):p 163-165, Jan–Mar 2025. | DOI: 10.4103/IJO.IJO_2078_23
