The effect of chemical stability and purification of perfluorocarbon liquids in experimental extended-term vitreous substitution.
BACKGROUND
To determine the importance of chemical stability and purification of perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) in experimental retinal tolerance, we tested four different substances as long-term vitreous tamponade: purified and nonpurified perfluorodecalin (PFD) and perfluoro-octyl-bromide (PFOB).


METHODS
After mechanical vitrectomy we replaced the vitreous of 65 rabbit eyes. Five groups were formed; four of them received the four PFCLs, while one served as control and received Ringer solution. The eyes were observed clinically every week and examined histologically after 1, 2, 4 and 8 weeks.


RESULTS
After 1 week we observed foam cells and intraretinal macrophages in all eyes with PFCLs. Purified PFD caused retinal lesions in the photoreceptor, ganglion cell and outer nuclear layers after only 2 weeks in the lower part of the eyes. In eyes filled with purified PFOB we observed more pronounced damage of the same nature. Unpurified substances caused severe inflammation and retinal detachment.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study demonstrates that purification and chemical stability are important factors in retinal tolerance of PFCLs for vitreous replacement. Although purified PFD was tolerated by the rabbit eyes for 1 week, we cannot recommend this substance for short-term clinical use as a vitreous substitute.
Velikay
M
M
1. Universitäts-Augenklinik Wien, Austria.
Stolba
U
U
Wedrich
A
A
Li
Y
Y
Datlinger
P
P
Binder
S
S
D000818:Animals; D004355:Drug Stability; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000633:toxicity*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000473:pathology; D010786:Photoreceptor Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012165:Retinal Ganglion Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects*
D005466:Fluorocarbons