The effect of polytetrafluoroethylene on different ocular tissues

This study aimed to investigate the effects of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) on ocular tissues (sclera, anterior chamber, and vitreous) and to evaluate the safety of PTFE in surgical interventions involving these tissues.

After autoclave sterilization, 16 PTFE pieces (6 × 6 mm) were implanted into the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity. Eight PTFE pieces were implanted through the limbus into the right eyes of eight rabbits by creating a corneoscleral tunnel with a 20-G microvitreoretinal (MVR) blade, ensuring that one edge of the implant contacted the anterior chamber of the eye. The remaining eight PTFE pieces were implanted into the vitreous cavity of the right eye of another eight rabbits via a sclerotomy performed 2 mm posterolateral to the limbus using a 20-G MVR blade. The sclerotomy site and conjunctiva were closed using 8 - 0 Vicryl sutures. The left eye of each rabbit was used as a control.

Conjunctival hyperemia was observed at the incision sites on postoperative day 1 and at week 1. No other inflammatory signs were detected in the anterior segment during the follow-up. Indirect ophthalmoscopy fundus examination revealed no inflammatory or infectious findings. Histopathological examination revealed no differences regard to necrosis or inflammation between the ocular tissues of PTFE-implanted and control eyes.

No inflammatory or toxic effects were observed one month after PTFE implantation into the ocular tissues. In summary, PTFE appears to be relatively harmless to ocular tissues in surgical practices at least in short term.