[Liquid perfluorocarbons in surgery for lens subluxation]

Liquid perfluocarbons (PFC) with a high specific weight and low viscosity were used to remove dislocated lenses from the vitreous body cavity in four patients. In three patients dislocation of the lens with the firm nucleus into the vitreous body cavity occurred following severe contusion, in one female patient luxation of a posterior chamber lens occurred after implantation. After pars plana vitrectomy the liquid PFC lifted the dislocated lens from the bottom of the eye beyond the pupil and from there the lens was removed by means of a cryoprobe and the posterior chamber artificial lens was removed by means of forceps. Liquid PFC are a simple and sparing tool for removal of lenses with a firm nucleus and of implanted lenses from the vitreous body cavity. They reduce manipulation with instruments inside the vitreous body cavity to a minimum. Their use is the operation of choice. The high price of PFC is outweighed by the minimal risk of surgical and postoperative retinal complications.