Lutein: a new dye for chromovitrectomy.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the feasibility, advantages, and safety of a novel lutein-based dye for improving identification and removal of the vitreous, internal limiting membrane, and epiretinal membrane during chromovitrectomy in humans.

METHODS

We prospectively evaluated 12 eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy using the dye in patients with macular hole, epiretinal membrane, or proliferative diabetic retinopathy/tractional diabetic macular edema. One surgeon performed standard chromovitrectomy and completed a postoperative questionnaire to compare the staining with that of the available dyes. The peeled membranes were evaluated histologically. Follow-up examinations were performed on postoperative Days 1, 7, 30, 90 and 180; best-corrected visual acuity, optical coherence tomography, fluorescein angiography, autofluorescence, and visual fields were performed.

RESULTS

The green dye was deposited on the posterior pole because of its higher density than balanced saline solution; vigorous dye flushing into the vitreous cavity was unnecessary. The dye stained the posterior hyaloid/vitreous base by deposition onto the vitreous; brilliant blue stained the internal limiting membrane. The epiretinal membrane was poorly stained. The best-corrected visual acuity improved in all eyes without clinical toxicity or toxicity on images/visual fields. Histology showed effective removal of the internal limiting membrane and epiretinal membrane in all eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

The new dye improved intraoperative identification of the internal limiting membrane and the posterior hyaloid/vitreous base during chromovitrectomy.