Perfluorocarbon liquid in the management of complex retinal detachments

1. Conventional techniques of pars plana vitrectomy, retinal membrane stripping, scleral buckling, fluid-air or fluid-gas exchange, and silicone oil injection are ineffective in 25% of the complex retinal detachments reported. 2. The properties of perfluorocarbon liquid--clear, water immiscible, specific gravity twice that of water--make it an important adjunct to treatment of complex retinal detachments. 3. Of great interest is the fact that research has shown that visual outcome is significantly better for eyes using perfluorocarbon to initially flatten the retina.