Lutein: a new dye for chromovitrectomy.

PURPOSE: 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.

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