Adverse side effects with perfluorohexyloctane as a long-term tamponade agent in complicated vitreoretinal surgery

To report long-term intraocular tolerance of perfluorohexyloctane (F(6)H(8)).

F(6)H(8) was used as an endotamponade in 18 patients (9 male and 9 female) with a median age of 65 years (range, 14-82 years) and complicated pathologic conditions of the inferior fundus: rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (17 patients) and tractional retinal detachment owing to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (1 patient). In six eyes, additional proliferative vitreoretinopathy was present. The use of F(6)H(8) was primary in 2 patients, and 16 patients had had previous retinal detachment surgery (median number, 2). F(6)H(8) was left in the eye for a median duration of 8 weeks (range, 2-14 weeks).

The median follow-up period was 6 months (range, 3-18 months). Permanent reattachment was achieved in 10 (56%) eyes after removal of F(6)H(8). In 8 (44%) of 18 eyes, a redetachment occurred. Two eyes became phthisic. Adverse side effects included photophobia in two patients, pain in two, hypotony in four, early emulsification in one, corneal lesion in one, fibrinous membranes in five, posterior lens opacification in one, and retinal scar formation in one.

Perfluorohexyloctane provides good support to the inferior retina. Because of numerous adverse side effects, it should be considered carefully when used as a long-term tamponade. Early removal may reduce the number of side effects.