A prospective study on trypan blue capsule staining under air vs under viscoelastic

Abstract

Aim: To compare the safety and effectiveness of trypan blue capsule staining under air vsunder viscoelastic. Methods: A total of 52 consecutive patients planned for phacoemulsification of white mature cataract were randomly assigned to trypan blue staining under air or under viscoelastic. Perioperative changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central corneal thickness (CCT), and endothelial cell density (ECD) were compared between the two groups. The differences in operating and phacoemulsification times, staining pattern, and complications between the two groups were also recorded. Results: Phacoemulsification of white mature cataract was performed in 50 (96%) eyes. The median preoperative BCVA was hand movement. No significant differences in the baseline characteristics were found between the two groups. At 3 months after phacoemulsification, the median BCVA improved to 0.8. The mean CCT returned to preoperative level by 1 month postoperatively and the mean ECD loss was 11.9% 3 months postoperatively. No significant differences in median BCVA, mean phacoemulsification and operation times, mean CCT, and mean ECD were found between the two groups. Conclusions: Trypan blue staining of the anterior lens capsule under air or under viscoelastic were similarly effective and safe methods for the phacoemulsification of white mature cataract. © 2006 Nature Publishing Group All rights reserved.