Perfluoro-octane in the treatment of giant retinal tears with proliferative vitreoretinopathy

Giant retinal tears complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) pose one of the more complex problems in vitreoretinal surgery. The authors developed a technique using perfluoro-octane, a temporary vitreous substitute that is heavier than water, combined with vitrectomy, scleral buckling, fluid-gas exchange, and direct manipulation of the retina to treat these cases. Ten eyes with giant retinal tears and grade D-1 PVR or worse were treated. In all eyes, the retina was successfully reattached at the end of surgery. Nine of the ten retinas remained attached after 6 months of follow-up. Five eyes required a total of six reoperations for epiretinal membrane formation without retinal detachment. The one eye in which the retina did not remain reattached developed severe recurrent PVR and iris neovascularization. Visual acuity improved in 8 of 10 eyes. Final visual acuity was 20/400 or better in 8 of 10 eyes, and 20/80 or better in 4 eyes.