EXPERIMENTAL SHORT-TERM TOLERANCE TO PERFLUORODECALIN IN THE RABBIT EYE - A HISTOPATHOLOGICAL STUDY

Purpose. Perfluorocarbon liquids are largely used in vitreoretinal sur gery, but their permanence into the eye is considered harmful and earl y withdrawal is routinely performed by most of the surgeons. We undert ook this investigation to evaluate the effects of Perfluorodecalin (PF D) tamponade following vitrectomy in the rabbit eye. Methods. Twenty-f our rabbits underwent vitrectomy, of the right eye according with a st andard procedure. Eighteen rabbits received PFD and 6 control rabbits received Balanced Salt Solution (BSS) as vitreous substitute. The eyes were examined with light microscopy and transmission electron microsc opy after two, four and six days after tamponade and thirty days after the withdrawal of PFD.Results. The tamponade lasting four or more day s caused irreversible retinal damage involving the photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium. Peculiar impressions were formed in the in ner retina at the site of the gravitational effect of PFD droplets. Co nclusions. Based on the results of this study we suggest that the tamp onade with PFD lasting more than two days is detrimental to the retina , at least in the case of the rabbit. Damage seems to be related only to the high specific gravity of PFD.