Effect of blue staining of expandable hydrophilic intraocular lenses on contrast sensitivity and glare vision.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effect of trypan blue staining of expandable hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses (IOLs) on contrast sensitivity and glare.


METHODS
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University, and Oculistas Associados, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.


METHODS
Phacoemulsification with expandable hydrophilic IOL implantation was performed in 19 eyes. Group 1 (stained group) consisted of 12 eyes with the IOL unintentionally stained by trypan blue 0.1% solution during surgery; Group 2 (unstained group) consisted of 7 eyes with IOLs that were not stained because trypan blue was not used during surgery. The eyes were examined postoperatively for Snellen best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), contrast sensitivity BCVA, and glare vision. The examiners were masked to whether the IOL was stained by trypan blue. Inclusion criteria included a BCVA of 20/30 or better 1 month postoperatively. Patients who had other ocular pathology or previous ocular surgery were excluded from the study.


RESULTS
The mean postoperative BCVA was 20/24 in the stained group and 20/23 in the unstained group (P =.73). The mean contrast sensitivity visual acuity was 20/31 in the stained group and 20/26 in unstained group (P =.10). The mean glare visual acuity was 20/75 and 20/33, respectively (P =.03).


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with expandable hydrophilic acrylic IOLs stained with trypan blue performed significantly worse on a glare vision test than patients whose IOLs were not stained. Cataract surgeons should avoid using trypan blue with this IOL type.
Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. tbisol@hotmail.com
Tiago
T
Bisol
Renata A
RA
Rezende
Jaime
J
Guedes
Adalmir M
AM
Dantas
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D000368:Aged; D004396:Coloring Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D015350:Contrast Sensitivity / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D019466:Glare; D006801:Humans; D019654:Lens Implantation, Intraocular; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D013194:Staining and Labeling / Q000379:methods; D014343:Trypan Blue / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014792:Visual Acuity / Q000502:physiology
D000180:Acrylic Resins; D004396:Coloring Agents; D014343:Trypan Blue