Wolff-Eisner Reaction

WOLFF-EISNER REACTION (Wolff-Eisner), or ophthalmoreaction, or conjunctival test, consists in the fact that tuberculin introduced into the eye causes tuberculous conjunctivitis. For the W.-E. r., freshly prepared sterile 1%, 2%, and 4% solutions of Alt-Tuberculin are used. First, a 2% solution is introduced into the inner corner of the eye; if the W.-E. r. is positive, a 1% solution is introduced into the other eye; if negative, a 4% solution is used. A positive W.-E. r. has three degrees: 1) redness of the caruncula and lower eyelid, 2) redness, in addition, of the conjunctiva of the eyeball, and finally, 3) purulent conjunctivitis with phlyctenules. A negative W.-E. r. with 4% Alt-Tuberculin speaks against tuberculosis; a positive reaction with such a strong solution is of little diagnostic value, but non-tuberculous individuals react to the 1% solution only in rare cases. The W.-E. r. has no practical significance. When performing it, great caution is recommended, due to sometimes very violent reactions. Unfortunate cases have been described.