[Staining the lens capsule with trypan blue for visualizing capsulorhexis in surgery of mature cataracts].

BACKGROUND A capsulorhexis may be difficult to perform in the absence of a red fundus reflex. PATIENTS AND METHODS After application of 0.3 mL trypan blue 0.1%, a quick and homogeneous staining of the anterior lens capsule was obtained in 100 patients with a mature cataract, to visualize the capsulorhexis during a phacoemulsification procedure. RESULTS No adverse reactions related to the dye were observed up to 18 months after surgery. CONCLUSION Trypan blue staining of the anterior lens capsule may therefore be a safe technique to facilitate the performance of a capsulorhexis in the absence of a red fundus reflex.