[Experimental tolerability of perfluorodecalin in prolonged intraocular tamponade]

Perfluorocarbon liquids are used in vitreoretinal surgery due to their high specific gravity. Studies of retinal tolerance to prolonged tamponade with these liquids are discordant. Our experimental study uses a highly purified perfluorodecalin molecule (DKline) for prolonged retinal tamponade. The retinal lesions observed are described and analyzed.

[corrected] Twenty pigmented rabbit eyes were studied. 1.2 to 1.5 ml of DKline were injected into the vitreous cavity after pneumatic compression. Histological and ultrastructural studies were performed after tamponade lasting 48 hours (5 eyes), 12 days (6 eyes), 21 days (5 eyes) and controls (4 eyes).

After 48 hours: vacuolization of the nerve fiber layer is observed without ultrastructural changes; undulation of the photoreceptor outer segments is seen. After 12 days: vacuolization and undulation increase, with modifications in the junction between photoreceptors and the pigment epithelium. After 21 days: major vacuolization is seen, with disorganization of the photoreceptor architecture. The inner limiting membrane is respected and no surface proliferation is observed.

DKline used in prolonged tamponade induces histological lesions as early as 48 hours; they increase with time. The nerve fiber and photoreceptor outer segment layers are the most severely affected. These lesions appear to be mainly of mechanical origin. Prolonged retinal tamponade with DKline would not seem possible.