Management of retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid.

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Retinal Surgery
• Ocular Toxicology

Background:

• Subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) is a rare complication following retinal detachment repair.
• PFCL can exert toxic effects on ocular structures.
• Retained PFCL may be missed intraoperatively in 1-11% of cases, detected later during follow-up.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the prognosis and management of retained subretinal perfluorocarbon liquid.
• To highlight the importance of early intervention for subretinal PFCL impacting central vision.

Main Methods:

• Review of limited case reports on retained subretinal PFCL.
• Analysis of prognostic factors including location, size, and duration of PFCL contact.
• Assessment of imaging modalities like optical coherence tomography and microperimetry.

Main Results:

• Early intervention for retained subretinal PFCL, particularly when subfoveal, is warranted.
• Restoration of foveal contour and reduced scotoma size are associated with a good prognosis.
• Prognosis is contingent upon the PFCL's location, size, and duration of retinal contact.

Conclusions:

• Retained subretinal PFCL requires timely management to mitigate visual impairment.
• Imaging techniques aid in assessing the impact and prognosis of retained PFCL.
• Understanding prognostic factors is crucial for effective patient management.