Fortuitous corneal stromal staining during wound exploration and repair with cataract extraction

Abstract

The use of trypan blue in staining of the anterior capsule during cataract surgery plays a very important role in per operative visualization of the anterior capsule for anterior capsulorhexis and phacoemulsification. It is used in staining the anterior capsule during cataract surgeries, internal limiting membrane during vitreo-retinal surgeries or can be used as part of Siedel’s test to detect a leak in cornea. This dye is non-toxic and is incorporated in intra ocular surgeries for many years. We report a case of Traumatic corneal perforation with traumatic cataract in which the corneal stroma was accidently stained by trypan blue. The corneal staining in our case was result of improper port construction as it was difficult on account of hypotony, the anterior chamber being shallow and continuous leaking of air from the corneal wound. In our opinion the complication can be prevented by proper visualization and use of sharp instruments in construction of the port.