THE USE OF PERFLUORODECALIN IN RETINAL DETACHMENTS WITH RETINOSCHISIS

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of perfluorodecalin o n the repair of retinal detachments with retinoschisis. PATIENTS AND M ETHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 20 patients with degenerative and X-linked retinoschisis underwent pars plana vitrectomy, perfluorodecalin inject ion, internal fluid drainage, and fluid-air exchange. RESULTS: The ret ina was reattached intraoperatively in 21 (95.4%) of the 22 eyes. In 4 eyes, retinal detachment recurred within 2 months postoperatively. Al l of the recurrent cases underwent reoperation with perfluoropropane g as and the retina was reattached at the end of 2 operations. As a resu lt, visual acuity increased in 18 (81.8%) of the 22 eyes. CONCLUSION: Perfluorodecalin makes flattening of the retina and evacuation of subr etinal fluid easier in the management of rhegmatogenous retinal detach ments associated with degenerative and X-linked retinoschisis.