Enhancing Precision and Clarity with New Digital Color Assistant in 3D Heads-Up Vitreoretinal Surgery.

INTRODUCTION

To describe the advantages of the ARTEVO 850 digital color assistant (DCA) for enhancing visualization during vitreoretinal surgery.

METHODS

All surgical procedures were conducted under the expertise of a single surgeon utilizing the ARTEVO 850 heads-up microscope from ZEISS. During the surgeries, images were contemporaneously recorded with and without the application of the DCA across key phases: core vitrectomy, peripheral vitrectomy, epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling, and internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling. This approach enabled a direct comparison to evaluate the impact of the filter on visualization quality during each specific surgical maneuver.

RESULTS

The application of the "vitrectomy blue" filter on the ARTEVO 850 surgical microscope provided advantages, particularly during core and peripheral vitrectomy. The "vitrectomy blue" filter improved visualization of the vitreous, allowing for clearer identification and removal of residual vitreous strands and opacities. In surgeries involving ERM, the "peeling blue" filter provided enhanced contrast and clarity in visualizing the membrane, facilitating thorough peeling. Furthermore, when used in conjunction with dye staining techniques, it further amplified the visualization of ERM in high myopic eyes. This combination reduced the need for additional re-staining during surgery, streamlining the procedure and potentially minimizing intraoperative complications related to dye toxicity. In macular hole surgery, the "peeling blue" filter contributed to improving the characterization and delineation of the hole edges and surrounding tissues.

CONCLUSIONS

The ARTEVO 850 DCA can potentially enhance tissue visualization during vitreoretinal surgeries, particularly in scenarios with compromised visibility. Our observation underscored the efficacy of the blue filter in improving the clarity and contrast of vitreous, ERM and macular hole visualization. This enhancement was particularly evident when the DCA was used in combination with dye staining techniques, which further improved the visualization of ERM in high myopic eyes.