Staining of the lens capsule for circular continuous capsulorrhexis in eyes with white cataract

We have developed a technique of staining the anterior capsule with a solution of indocyanine green that facilitates performance of the circular continuous capsulorrhexis in eyes with a mature cataract. We compared the results of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in 10 eyes with the capsule stained with results of 10 eyes having the same procedure with standard circular continuous capsulorrhexis. The results of specular microscopy and laser flare-cell photometry showed no statistically significant differences between the 2 groups. Although the safety of intraocular indocyanine green dye has not yet been definitively established, the findings of this pilot study suggest that it is safe and useful in visualizing the anterior capsule of a mature cataract during cataract surgery.