Epiretinal membrane surgery assisted by trypan blue

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patient outcome following epiretinal membrane surgery using trypan blue to facilitate visualization and delamination. DESIGN: A retrospective noncomparative review of 23 patients. METHODS: Patients underwent a three,port pars plana vitrectomy with delamination using trypan blue 0.06%. RESULTS: The median preoperative visual acuity was 20/100. The median postoperative visual acuity was 20/60. Seventeen patients (74%) improved their visual acuity by at least 2 chart lines. No adverse reaction related to trypan blue was observed up to 1 year postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: Trypan blue staining of the epiretinal membrane facilitated visualization and delamination without any signs of toxicity. (C) 2003 by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.