Perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) in the repair of complicated retinal detachments due to severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy

PURPOSE: To report our experience with perfluoro-N-octane (PFO) in the surg ical management of complicated retinal detachments due to proliferative dia betic retinopathy. METHODS: Retrospective review of 18 consecutive eyes of 18 patients with tr actional or combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachments due to severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy managed by pars plana vitrecto my and the intraoperative use of PFO. Preoperative characteristics, intraop erative findings and procedures and postoperative results were recorded. RESULTS: The mean preoperative acuity was 2/200 (range, 20/25 to light perc eption). The mean final visual acuity was 4/200 (range, 20/20 to no light p erception). With a mean follow-up of 6 months, there was an 89% anatomic re attachment rate at the last visit and visual acuity was stable or improved in 72% of eyes. CONCLUSIONS: In our experience, PFO is a helpful surgical adjunct in the an atomic reattachment of tractional or combined tractional and rhegmatogenous diabetic retinal detachments. Visual acuity was stabilized or improved in the majority of eyes.