Importance Of Capsular Staining – The Teaching Perspective

To evaluate the efficiency and safety of with Capsulblue® versus Telno Capsule Blue® for staining of the anterior capsule in consecutive teaching cases.

Specialised Ophthalmoc Hospital - Varna

Sixty eyes underwent teaching phacoemuslifiction by 4 trainees and one supervisor over period of 6 months. The trainee were allowed to perform initial grove, irrigation-aspiration, and lens implantation. The eyes were randomized to Capsulblue® versus Tekno Capsule Blue® staining, Each trainee had equal number of both staining options.  The outcome measures were visibility by the trainee, visibility by the trainer and complications occurred during the procedure. The performance was assessed by a 2 item questionnaire with scale 1-5 (one poor visibility, 5 excellent visibility).

All cases were completed successfully, with only two capsular ruptures, managed with anterior vitrectomy and finalized with IOL implantation. Another minor technical complications were anterior capsular bites with the phaco-tip, aspiration of the capsule and under looked cortical material. The complications were predominantly in Tekno Capsule Blue® group. The visibility scores for the Tekno Capsule Blue® were 3.5 and 4.1 for the trainees and trainer respectively, and for Capsulblue® the same scores were 4.3 and 4.7. The trainer commented on a longer staining procedure with Capsulblue®.

Teaching cases are inevitable in the clinical practice. Selection of proper medical devices that improve visualization improve the performance and facilitate faster learning. This is also additional safety for the patient and psychological comfort for the trainees and educators.