title: Experimental vitreous replacement with perfluorophenanthrene.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We studied the toxicity of perfluorophenanthrene (PFP), used as short-, medium-, or long-term internal tamponading substance, on the rabbit choroid and retina. The aim was the check whether PFP is tolerated as a tamponade in the eye or damages the retina, and if any such damage is due to toxicity or to emulsification which may stimulate phagocytosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four right eyes of rabbits operated by vitrectomy were filled with 0.8-1 ml of PFP as retinal tamponading substance. Twelve eyes were operated by vitrectomy and filled with 0.8-1 ml of balanced salt solution as the control group. Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy was done on the third and seventh day after surgery, then once a week. Enucleation, with histological and immunohistochemical examination, was done on the second day, then in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Histological examination showed progressive damage of the chorioretinal tissues right from the second week: the chorioretinal structure was completely altered from the eighth week. Immunohistochemical examinations showed that glia cells were involved in the inflammation consequent to internal tamponade with PFP.
authors.affiliation: 1st Institute of Ophthalmology, University of Milano, Ospedale Maggiore of Milano, Italy.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ratiglia
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berti
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Galimberti
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bindella
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schweizer
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marchi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rossi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002829:Choroid / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000633:toxicity*; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000633:toxicity*; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007267:Injections; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009418:S100 Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D012449:Safety; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D005904:Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein; D009418:S100 Proteins; C047722:perfluorophenanthrene