Applicability of the Acai Fruit (Euterpe Oleracea) Dye for Chromovitrectomy in Humans

The purpose of the present clinical trial in humans will be to test the impregnation capacity of the acai dye (10 and 25% concentrations) in the identification of the posterior hyaloid and ILM during vitreoretinal surgery in humans.

Twenty-four patients that seek treatment at the Ophthalmology Department of The Federal University of São Paulo will be selected for this study. Inclusion criteria will be patients diagnosed with epiretinal membrane, macular hole or diabetic retinopathy (with or without vitreal hemorrhages, and/or macular edema, and/or vitreomacular traction). All must be indicated for vitrectomy surgery for the removal of the epiretinal membrane and/or internal limiting membrane.

The present clinical trial was approved by the ethics committee of the Federal University of São Paulo (CEP-UNIFESP). All patients will be invited to sign an Informed Consent Form before participating in the study.

Twenty-four different retina surgeons will operate one of the 24 selected patients, using the standard vitrectomy technique that employs 4 sclerotomies and a 23-gauge system with accessory illumination. All surgeries will be performed using the acai dye (Euterpe oleracea) in the following concentrations: 10% (n=12) or 25% (n=12).

Immediately after the procedure, each surgeon will be given an evaluation questionnaire to fill-in.