An HSV Dendritic Figure

central core

surrounding zone

Fig. 1.17  a–d Features of an HSV dendritic (branching) figure, visualized (a) without staining, (b and c) with fluorescein sodium, (c and d) in time sequence, and (d) with rose bengal dye added. (a) The figure consist of two parts: a central core that appears granular (long arrow) and a surrounding zone (short arrow) (cf. drawing). (b) Green-stained tear fluid is pooling within the central core. The surrounding zone is elevated (dark). Within this zone, green fluid is pooling between protruding swollen/rounded cells (dark rounded dots, arrowhead)

Fig. 1.17 (c)  After a blink, the stained tear fluid appears more brilliantly green. As in (b), it is pooling within the central core and between the protruding swollen/rounded cells (arrowhead). So far, there is no fluorescein diffusion into the elevated surrounding zone. (d) A few minutes later, the elevated surrounding zone is stained brilliantly green (fluorescein diffusion). Rose bengal dye reveals patches of surface debris within the central core and a few rounded dots (arrowhead)

Comment

It is possible that the pooling of the green-stained tear fluid captured within the central core in (b) and (c) occurs below a damaged but partially preserved surface layer.