Use of Black-and-White Digital Filters to Optimize Visualization in Cataract Surgery

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of a black-and-white (BW) filter on the optimization of visualization at each stage of cataract surgery.

Methods: Prospective, single-center, single-surgeon, consecutive case series of 40 patients undergoing cataract surgery with BW filter. Surgical images and videos were recorded with and without the BW filter at each stage of cataract surgery. Contrast measurements of surgical images and subjective analysis of video sequences were performed.

Results: The surgeons assessed the BW filter to optimize the tissue visibility of capsulorhexis contours, hydrodissection fluid wave perception, the contrast of instruments through a nucleus during phaco-chop, and subincisional cortex contrast through the corneal edema. Despite the higher contrasts' value obtained with BW filter images during nucleus removal, posterior capsular polishing and viscous removal, the surgeons subjectively reported no significant advantage of using a BW filter. Standard color images were found to be better for localizing the limbal area during incision and for nucleus sculpture to assess groove depth.

Conclusions: In conclusion, we describe here the potential indications for BW filter use at particular stages in cataract surgery. A BW filter could be used, with caution, in cases of poor visualization.