Inadvertent vitreous staining

Unintentional Staining of the Anterior Vitreous with Trypan Blue During Cataract Surgery

During phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation surgery, the trypan blue dye used to stain the anterior capsule passed into vitreous cavity and stained the anterior capsule and anterior vitreous in 6 patients. There was history of trauma in 2 patients, uveitis in 1 patient, mature cataract in 1 patient, and no risk factors in the other patients. IOL was implanted in-the-bag without problem in 5 patients. In the patient with iris and zonular defects due to trauma, a sutured IOL was implanted in the same session. The migration of trypan blue into the vitreous cavity through damaged or intact lens zonules is a rare but important complication that makes subsequent surgical steps substantially more difficult.

Management of the subluxated crystalline lens: A review

Cataract surgery for the subluxated crystalline lens is challenging. A thorough preoperative evaluation is important to determine the appropriate surgical approach for lens removal and the subsequent technique of intraocular lens placement. Important considerations include the extent and location of zonular weakness, and whether the zonular deficiency is caused by a static or progressive disease. The capsular bag should be preserved where possible. Creating a good-sized and centred continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis is crucial to facilitate the use of capsular retractors and capsular tension devices, which provide capsular stability. Nucleus sculpting and rotation should be minimised to reduce zonular stress. Being cognisant of the possible intraoperative complications that may occur at each stage of the surgery and knowing how to reduce the risk of these complications occurring will enable surgeons to perform safe cataract surgery in these complex cases.

Inadvertent Trypan Blue Staining of Posterior Capsule during Cataract Surgery Associated with "Argentinian Flag" Event

Trypan blue is common in visualizing the anterior capsule during cataract surgery. Inadvertent staining of the posterior capsule during phacoemulsification is a rare complication and there are few reports in the literature. The proposed mechanism of posterior capsule staining in previous reports includes a compromised zonular apparatus or iris retractors facilitating the posterior flow of trypan blue. We report the first case of trypan blue staining of the posterior capsule associated with the “Argentinian flag” sign. In our case, the “Argentinian flag” allowed the trypan blue to seep between the posterior capsule and the lens, staining the anterior surface of the posterior capsule.

Inadvertent trypan blue posterior capsule staining during cataract surgery

PURPOSE

To report 5 cases of inadvertent posterior capsule staining with trypan blue during phacoemulsification.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

Five cases of posterior capsule staining with trypan blue were identified from cataract surgeries performed at an academic institution. All 5 eyes underwent phacoemulsification with use of iris retractors. The surgical videos from each case were reviewed to better understand the mechanisms and risk factors for posterior capsule staining with trypan blue and techniques to avoid this complication.

RESULTS

No eyes had clinical evidence of zonular pathology during their preoperative examination. Only 1 patient reported a possible childhood history of trauma to both eyes. One eye had uveitis, requiring posterior synechialysis. All 5 cases involved the use of iris retractors. No other intraoperative complications occurred, and the intraocular lens was successfully placed in the capsular bag in all cases. All eyes had resolution of posterior capsule staining by postoperative day 8.

CONCLUSIONS

Inadvertent posterior capsule staining with trypan blue can occur in eyes that appear structurally normal. The use of iris retractors may facilitate posterior capsule staining by allowing the posterior flow of trypan blue under the iris and through the zonules to the posterior capsule. Surgeons should consider techniques to minimize the risk of posterior capsule staining, particularly in cases involving the use of iris retractors.

Trypan blue dye for anterior segment surgeries

Use of vital dyes in ophthalmic surgery has gained increased importance in the past few years. Trypan blue (TB) has been a popular choice among anterior segment surgeons mainly due to its safety, ease of availability, and remarkable ability to enable an easy surgery in difficult situations mostly related to visibility of the targeted tissue. It is being used in cataract surgery since nearly a decade and its utilization has been extended to other anterior segment surgeries like trabeculectomy and corneal transplantation. This review will discuss the techniques and outcome of TB dye-assisted anterior segment surgeries.

Capsular staining: recent developments

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

This paper reviews the recent literature regarding anterior capsular staining.

RECENT FINDINGS

Safety and efficacy of dyes used in facilitating visualization of the anterior capsule during phacoemulsification are compared. Advantages of using different techniques for injection of the dyes are discussed.

SUMMARY

Trypan Blue and Indocyanine Green appear to be most effective in staining the anterior capsule with the highest safety profile. Injection strategies should be aimed at reducing uncontrolled dispersion especially into the vitreous.