Abstract: Accidental staining of corneal nerves...

Wow. What a way to visualize those nerves. Poor kid.

Moral of story: If your 10-year-old wants to dye their hair, don't stand around arguing about the color. Help them do it safely.

[Accidental staining of corneal nerves by methylene blue.]

[Article in German]

A 10-year-old child presented after accidental exposure of the left eye to a blue hair dye containing methylene blue. Mild ocular surface changes and a selective blue staining of the usually invisible corneal nerve fibre bundles were present. Corneal sensitivity was reduced. Despite copious lubrication a transient neurotrophic keratitis developed which did not resolve until corneal sensitivity became normal 2 weeks later. Association of mild chemical burns with neurotrophic keratitis is unusual but is of high clinical relevance as keratitis is a vision-threatening complication.

Ophthalmologe. 2013 Jan 5. [Epub ahead of print]

Peter S, Reichart E, Poyntner L, Mennel S.

Abteilung für Augenheilkunde, Landeskrankenhaus Feldkirch, Carinagasse 47, 6800, Feldkirch, Österreich, Silvia.Peter@LKHF.at.