AIM:To observe the application efficiency of 5g/L indocyanine green(ICG)staining technique for continuous circular capsulorhexis(CCC)during phacoemulsification in white cataract.

METHODS:Ninety-eight patients(98 eyes)with white cataract were randomly divided into staining group(50 cases, 50 eyes)and control group(48 cases, 48 eyes). The control group didn't do anterior capsule staining. The staining group was injected to fill the anterior chamber, 5g/L ICG 0.1mL was applied on the central surface of the anterior capsule, using a 27G blunt needle through the side-port after 30s, and the redundant ICG was replaced by BSS, and continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis was accomplished using capsulorhexis forceps.

RESULTS: In staining group: after ICG staining, the capsule, which presented uniform light green and visualization of the anterior capsule was significantly improved. There are 48 eyes capsulorhexis success. The rate of success was 96%. Meanwhile, in control group, there was 29 eyes capsulorhexis success. The rate of success was 60%. The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05). During follow-up, no dye particle and the complications of iritis or high intraocular pressure were found in the eyes of staining group. Anterior chamber inflammation, corneal opacity compared with control group, the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION:Indocyanine green staining increases the visibility of anterior capsule in over mature cataract, and it should be an effective and helpful method which can increase the success rate of capsulorehxis. At the same time, it can reduce the incidence of intraoperative complications. This will help beginners quickly grasp continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis, and shorten the learning curve.