Internal limiting membrane staining

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To describe the different modalities of internal limiting membrane (ILM) staining for the treatment of idiopathic macular hole (IMH). Methods Search of the MEDLINE database by using Medical Subject Heading search terms and key words related to ILM staining, macular hole surgery. Results ILM removal has been closely related with increased closure rates. However, because of poor ILM visibility the surgical removal of ILM is very difficult and poses serious complications. To obtain better visibility of ILM some special techniques have been developed using specific dyes such as, trypan blue (TB), indocyanine green (ICG), infracyanine green or triamsinolone acetonide(TA). Anatomic success rates with one surgery have increased (>90%) however, concern for toxicity has emerged. Patients with ICG‐assisted ILM peeling appear to have a depressed recovery of visual acuity compared to those not using ICG. Concentrations of ICG that are <0.5 mg/mL have been shown to be non‐toxic in cultures of RPE cells. Infracyanine green is a similar molecule that does not contain iodine and is less likely to induce osmolarity related toxic effects on the PRE cells when compared to ICG. It has been used also for ILM staining in combination with trypan(TB). TB is a second generation vital dye that stains epiretinal membranes (ERMs) directly and ILM to a lesser extent. Thus TB is useful for both macular hole and macular pucker surgery. TA may be also used to help highlight the ILM, although it is not a dye. It does adhere to the posterior hyaloid, making the detection of ILM easier. Conclusion This review largely reflects the great advent of different techniques for ILM staining. The use of ICG is more toxic when compared with TB. For TA long‐term effects have not been well studied.