Staining of the Tenon Capsule With Trypan Blue During Enucleation Surgery

Trypan blue vital staining has been used increasingly in ophthalmic surgery. We describe a new extraocular application of trypan blue in staining of the Tenon capsule during enucleation surgery. The most common clinical use of trypan blue is staining of the anterior Tenon capsule to assist in creating a capsulorrhexis during removal of a white or mature cataract. 1-3 Trypan blue has also been implemented in staining of the posterior stromal fibers during deep lamellar keratoplasty, 4 staining of the internal limiting membrane during a peel, 5 and as an adjunct in the complete removal of proliferative vitreoretinopathy. 6 To our knowledge, all ophthalmic uses of trypan blue have previously been intraocular.