J Korean Ophthalmol Soc.  2023 Oct;64(10):899-903. 10.3341/jkos.2023.64.10.899.

Comparison of Methods Used to Prevent Fogging of a Non-contact Wide-field Viewing System during Vitrectomy

• Seo M
• Ha A
• Lee HJ
• Jeong J
• Nam KT

• KMID: 2546810
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/jkos.2023.64.10.899

Abstract

Purpose
To compare the effectiveness of warm saline and anti-fog solution for preventing fogging of a non-contact wide-field viewing system during vitrectomy.
Methods
Five liters of water at 36°C were placed in a transparent container. The fogging areas of wide-field lenses were microscopically measured. We created three groups: lenses soaked in normal saline at 25°C for 1 minute (control), lenses soaked in normal saline at 50°C for 1 minute (warm saline), and lenses that were wiped with a sponge soaked in anti-fog solution (ULTRASTOP pro med. Solution, Sigmapharm, Vienna, Austria) after prior soaking in normal saline at 25°C for 1 minute (anti-fog). Images of fogged areas were acquired at 10 seconds and 1, 3, and 5 minutes. Extent of fogged areas and central lens invasion were determined. All experiments were repeated 10 times.
Results
In the control group, the entire areas were always completely fogged. The average fog coverage values were 4.34 ± 1.28, 6.30 ± 1.38, 56.00 ± 25.01, and 93.81 ± 5.88% at 10 seconds and 1, 3, and 5 minutes in the warm saline group and 4.74 ± 0.57, 7.35 ± 0.96, 10.13 ± 1.09, and 11.74 ± 1.74% in the anti-fog group, respectively. There were significant differences at 3 and 5 minutes (p = 0.029, p = 0.012). Fogging of the central lens was detected in 8 tests after 3 minutes and all 10 tests after 5 minutes in the warm saline group, but no fogging was detected in the anti-fog group.
Conclusions
Application of an anti-fog solution to a wide-field viewing lens prevents lens fogging during vitrectomy.

Keyword

Anti-fog solution, Non-contact wide-field viewing system, Vitrectomy