[Clinical and histologic findings after several weeks of intraocular tamponade with perfluorodecalin]

Perfluorocarbon residues sometimes remain in the eye following vitreoretinal procedures employing liquid perfluorocarbons. According to the literature, one or two droplets do not appear to damage the ocular tissue. The question of whether this also applies to larger volumes was investigated in two eyes of two patients. Both eyes were injected with perfluorodecalin for removal of luxated lens in two patients. In one patient approximately 3 ml perfluorodecalin remained in the eye for 3 months postoperatively, in the other patient approximately 4 ml for 4 months. The eye of the first patient developed an inoperable complicated retinal detachment. The second eye developed a secondary glaucoma requiring additional cyclocryocoagulation after removal of the perfluorocarbon. Histological examination of excised retinal tissue revealed extensive destruction of the normal architecture with a marked reduction in the number of cells in the nuclear layers. It remains unclear whether these findings can be attributed to toxic or mechanical damage.