Intraocular tolerance of perfluorooctylbromide (perflubron)
OBJECTIVE
To determine the intraocular tolerance of perfluorooctylbromide (perflubron) in vitrectomized rabbit and pig eyes and evaluated its use as a vitreous substitute in virteoretinal surgery.


METHODS
Pars plana vitrectomy was performed on 33 Dutch pigmented rabbits and 11 micro mini pigs. After vitrectomy the eyes were filled with perflubron for 2 hours, 1 week, 2 weeks, 1 month, and up to 6 months.


RESULTS
No clinical, electroretinographic, or light and electron microscopic evidence of adverse effects on the retina and lens were observed. Perflubron emulsified and dispersed into small bubbles after 2-3 weeks. The lens showed mild posterior subcapsular cataracts in pig eyes after long-term retention of perflubron.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings indicate that perflubron is safe for intraoperative and for long-term use intravitreally. However, emulsification and the breakdown into small bubbles limits the view of the retina when perflubron is used as a long-term tamponade.
Flores-Aguilar
M
M
Department of Ophthalmology, University of California, San Diego, USA.
Munguia
D
D
Loeb
E
E
Crapotta
J A
JA
Vuong
C
C
Shakiba
S
S
Bergeron-Lynn
G
G
Wiley
C A
CA
Weers
J
J
Freeman
W R
WR
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000473:pathology; D004361:Drug Tolerance; D004596:Electroretinography; D004655:Emulsions; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects / Q000473:pathology; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013552:Swine; D013556:Swine, Miniature; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000187:drug effects
D004655:Emulsions; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006842:Hydrocarbons, Brominated; C073608:perfluorooctane; C003072:perflubron