Patent blue: A novel vital dye in vitreoretinal surgery

Purpose: To determine a novel vital dye (patent blue; Blueron((R))) for vitreoretinal surgery in a prospective consecutive case series. Methods: Five patients with either idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM; n = 2), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (n = 2), or a macular hole (n = 1) underwent a three-port pars plana vitrectomy. Patent blue assisted staining of the retinal surface followed by a consecutive peeling of the ERM (n = 4) or of the internal limiting membrane (ILM; n = 1) was performed. The main outcome measures were quality of intraoperative visualization of preretinal structures and postoperative visual acuity. Results: The dye induced a moderate staining (++) of the ERM and a mild staining (+) of the ILM. Complete ERM and ILM removal was successfully achieved in all cases. A mean visual improvement of three Snellen lines was observed 6 months postoperatively. No visual field defects or visible retinal pigment epithelial changes were present 6 months postoperatively. Conclusion: Patent blue, a novel dye for intraocular applications, may be added as an alternative dye in chromovitrectomy. Copyright (c) 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel.