We present a large comparative series of trypan blue use in cataract surgery. This series of trypan blue used in all eyes regardless of cataract severity may be unique. We found an apparent increased rate of cystoid macular oedema (CMO) associated with trypan blue use.
Melles et al’s1 report on the use of trypan blue in cataract extraction in 1999 combined with Apple et al’s2–4 series on dye enhanced cataract surgery facilitated widespread acceptance of this technique. The dye has been shown to stain basement membrane of lens capsule.5 Trypan blue is now widely used to assist in cataract extraction when visualisation of the anterior capsule is poor because of loss of red reflex. Trypan blue has also been used to improve contrast during cataract extraction in eyes with corneal opacities6 and to stain internal limiting membrane and epiretinal membrane during vitreoretinal surgery.7,8 The safety profile of trypan blue appears good with no adverse effects reported in several large series.9–11
Patients and methods
In this retrospective, comparative study we identified a consecutive series of 75 patients (group A) in whom trypan blue had been used “routinely” regardless of cataract type or density. A consecutive series of 94 patients (group B) who had routine phacoemulsification by the same surgeon were used as a control group.
Apart from the use of trypan blue to facilitate capsulorhexis, standard phacoemulsification techniques were used in both groups.
The data from the two cohorts were compared using mean and standard deviations for continuous variables such as age, and proportions for categorical variables such as sex. For acuity a numeric ordinal score was created from 1 to 10 by placing all the recorded acuities in order. This numeric ordinal score allowed us to plot the data using box plots, and to analyse the data using non-parametric methods to produce p values where necessary.
Results
The two groups compared favourably with regard to age and sex (table 1) but the preoperative best corrected acuity was worse in group A (fig 1A). Group A also had a higher proportion of patients with ocular co-morbidity (table 1).
Table 1.
Age and sex distribution and co-morbidity
| Variable | Group A (n = 75) | Group B (n = 94) |
| Mean age (SD) | 79.4 (9.8) | 78.4 (8.5) |
| Sex: | ||
| Male | 25 (33.3%) | 31 (33%) |
| Female | 50 (66.7%) | 63 (67%) |
| ARMD | 7 | 1 |
| CVA | 1 | 0 |
| ERM | 1 | 0 |
ARMD, age related macular degeneration; CVA, cerebrovascular accident; ERM, epiretinal membrane.
Figure 1.
(A) Preoperative best corrected acuity (group A = 75, group B = 94); (B) preoperative acuity without co-morbidity (group A = 66, group B = 93); (C) postoperative acuity without co-morbidity. Acuity key: 6/5 = 1; 6/6 = 2; 6/9 = 3; 6/12 = 4; 6/18 = 5; 6/24 = 6; 6/36 = 7; 6/60 = 8; 2/60 = 9; <2/60 = 10.
If all the cases with co-morbidity are removed from both groups, the preoperative best corrected acuity remains worse in group A, suggesting that the cataracts in this group were visually of greater significance (fig 1B).
There were four patients with clinically apparent CMO in group A and no cases in group B. The CMO was confirmed in all cases by the vitreoretinal specialist (PRS) using standard biomicroscopy techniques with a fundal contact lens. The incidence of clinically apparent CMO was 5.3% in group A and 0% in group B (p = 0.037).
All cases of CMO were treated with a combination of topical steroid and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drops and resolved completely with good visual outcomes.
The postoperative acuities compared favourably in both groups after patients with co-morbidity were removed from both groups (fig 1C).
Comment
Cystoid macular oedema resulting in visual loss occurs in up to 3.8% of cases following cataract extraction by phacoemulsification without posterior capsule rupture12,13 and up to 13% of cases with posterior capsule rupture.14,15 Ursell et al16 demonstrated an incidence of angiographic CMO of 19% following phacoemulsification (none of the patients in this group had clinically apparent CMO).
CMO has not been reported as a result of trypan blue use, but trypan blue has been shown to cause damaged photoreceptors in rabbit eyes after intravitreal injection.17 Trypan blue has also been shown to be carcinogenic and teratogenic in animal studies.18,19 The clinical significance or relevance to a human population of the animal studies is uncertain.
Trypan blue has been shown to inadvertently stain posterior capsule20 and intraocular lens implants.21,22
None of the patients in our group who developed CMO had associated posterior capsule rupture or ocular co-morbidity and all of the cases were treated successfully with good visual outcomes.
Dada et al23 and Sharma et al24 suggested the use of trypan blue in routine cases to aid in training of junior surgeons. Our study would suggest some caution with this approach in view of the apparent increase in the incidence of CMO with trypan blue use.
The preoperative best corrected acuity was decreased in the group in which trypan blue was used. This suggests that the cataracts in this group were of greater density, possibly requiring more energy to remove using phacoemulsification. The energy used during surgery however was not recorded. The CMO may therefore be a reflection of higher energy used in denser cataract.
A prospective trial with matched cohorts is required to prove the suggested higher incidence of CMO with trypan blue use. OCT scanning of the maculas in both groups would give non-invasive objective evidence of CMO.
We suggest the following steps to limit the apparent complication of CMO with trypan blue use:
Use the smallest amount and lowest concentration of trypan blue possible (trypan blue in concentrations as low as 0.0125% has been shown to effectively stain the anterior capsule25)
Increase postoperative steroid or anti-inflammatory drops prophylactically
Use only in appropriate cases—that is, with poor visualisation of the anterior capsule.
References
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