Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2026
Formulation and Acoustic Modulation of Optically Vaporized Perfluorocarbon Nanodroplets
Published on: July 16, 2021
Intraocular dispersion of perfluorocarbon liquids in silicone oil
Antonio P Ciardella1, Kevin Langton, Stanley Chang
1Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York 10021, USA. aciardella@yahoo.com
Purpose:
To report one case of intraocular emulsification of perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) and silicone oil after vitrectomy surgery.
Design:
Interventional case report.
Methods:
Retrospective review of the clinic, and surgical record of a 39-year old female referred for persistent retinal detachment after vitrectomy surgery; PFCLs and silicone oil were left in the eye at the end of the surgery.
Results:
There was intraocular emulsification of PFCLs into silicone oil. Electron microscope examination of the silicone oil surgically extracted from the eye demonstrated emulsification of small PFCL bubbles into the silicone oil.
Conclusion:
Perfluorocarbon liquids are surgical tools. They should be completely removed from the eye at the end of the surgery; PFCLs and silicone oil tend to emulsify together, originating an opaque fluid, which contains both silicone oil and dispersed PFCL bubbles.
