ABSTRACT
The aim of the present study is to detect the histopathological impact of trypan blue dye on anterior capsular epithelial cells of the anterior capsules stained with trypan blue dye during phacoemulsification. Twenty cataractous eyes underwent anterior capsule staining using 1 mL typan blue dye 0.5%, under air as apart of a routine phacoemulsification of the cataractous lens. Anterior capsulorhexis was done and the obtained anterior capsule flaps were sent for histopathological examination. As a control group, 20 cataractous eyes underwent phacoemulsification without capsular staining and the flaps were sent for histological examination compareing the findings in both groups. The histopathological examination of the stained capsules demonstrate, focally ragged and irregular outer limit of the capsule with reduction of thickness and considerable loss of cells and change in the viability of the residual epithelial cells compared with the unstained capsules. Staining the anterior lens capsule during cataract surgery using the most popular trypan blue dye appears not only to facilitate capsular visualization but also can attack the lens epithelial cells, the main source for capsule opacification. Further studies and clinical correlation is mandatory to further evaluate the cytotoxic effect of the dye on different ocular structures and its effect on posterior capsule opacification