Functional outcome after trypan blue-assisted vitrectomy for macular pucker: a prospective, randomized, comparative trial.

PURPOSE To evaluate functional outcome after the intraoperative application of 0.06% trypan blue during vitrectomy for macular pucker. DESIGN Prospective, randomized, comparative study. METHODS Forty-three eyes of 43 consecutive patients, 30 women and 13 men, were incorporated in the study. Patients were randomized into two groups: group 1 (n = 22) with trypan blue (0.06%) staining, and group 2 (n = 21) without trypan blue staining. Functional outcome (best-corrected visual acuity, Goldmann perimetry) was evaluated 1 day before surgery, at 6 weeks, and at intervals of 3, 6, and 12 or more months postoperatively. Only patients with an idiopathic macular pucker were included. In all patients, a standard three-port pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of an epiretinal membrane (ERM) and the internal limiting membrane was performed. No other modification of the surgical procedure, except the use of trypan blue was made between the two groups. RESULTS Mean age was 68.9 years in group 1 (with trypan blue) and 69.4 in group 2 (without trypan blue). Median best-corrected visual acuity was 20/63 in both groups (range, 20/200-20/40; P >.5) before surgery. Mean follow-up time was 5.8 months in group 1 and 5.3 months in group 2. After surgery, median visual acuity had increased to 20/40 in both groups (range, 20/500 to 20/20 in group 1 and 20/100 to 20/20 in group 2; P <.001 for both groups). The difference between both groups was not statistically significant (P >.5). An improvement of visual acuity (gain of 2 or more lines) was seen in 16 patients of both groups. No postoperative visual field defects were noted. CONCLUSIONS Trypan blue-assisted vitrectomy for macular pucker leads to good functional results with no dye-related adverse effects after short follow-up. Trypan blue might be especially applicable in cases in which the borders of the ERM are difficult to define. Hypothetical advantages, such as fewer recurrences of ERMs after trypan blue staining, will have to be evaluated during further follow-up of patients.