Gentian violet keratoconjunctivitis.

A case of bilateral keratoconjunctivitis caused by self-instillation of a 1% aqueous solution of gentian violet was complicated by a secondary uveitis and gram-negative conjunctivitis. The patient was treated with cycloplegics and specific antibiotics and after resolution of the bacterial infection, a mild topical corticosteroid was used. After six months the patient had completely recovered from the keratitis, but bilateral corneal vascularization, had unilateral posterior synechiae, corneal scarring, and cataract formation were present. Cationic dyes such as gentian violet appear to be toxic to the ocular surfaces and tend to produce severe intraocular inflammation.