Abstract
Abstract: :
Purpose:Trypan blue is used clinically to stain pre–retinal membranes in PVR, macular puckers and other retinal pathologies. The commercial preparation (membrane blue) requires an air–fluid exchange to provide a sufficient dye concentration at the membrane’s surface. The purpose of this study was to test a dye solution which while isotonic, has a higher density than BSS+ .Methods: A trypan blue solution was made by diluting 1:1 membrane blue in 10% glucose solution. This was injected in fluid filled eyes, and allowed to stain the surface of membranes for up to 2 minutes before being removed with a back flush needle. Patients were assessed for the ease with which membranes could be visualized and followed prospectively for 3 months. Best corrected visual acuity, OCT and fluorescein angiograms were obtained on all patients. Results: Patients with macular puckers, macular holes or central PVR have been included in this study. The dye was easy to administer and layered nicely on the macular surface with little anterior diffusion. After 2 minutes of staining, there was little if any further diffusion of the dye, which was easily aspirated from the retinal surface. Staining was adequate for the identification of surface membranes, and was comparable to that achieved after an air–fluid exchange of shorter duration. Short term toxicity was not observed. Conclusions: A trypan blue preparation of higher density than BSS is easier to use than the commercial preparation, while providing adequate staining characteristics. It is a useful alternative to current required protocol.
Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • proliferative vitreoretinopathy