Intraocular dispersion of perfluorocarbon liquids in silicone oil.
OBJECTIVE
To report one case of intraocular emulsification of perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) and silicone oil after vitrectomy surgery.


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
Retrospective review of the clinic, and surgical record of a 39-year old female referred for persistent retinal detachment after vitrectomy surgery; PFCLs and silicone oil were left in the eye at the end of the surgery.


RESULTS
There was intraocular emulsification of PFCLs into silicone oil. Electron microscope examination of the silicone oil surgically extracted from the eye demonstrated emulsification of small PFCL bubbles into the silicone oil.


CONCLUSIONS
Perfluorocarbon liquids are surgical tools. They should be completely removed from the eye at the end of the surgery; PFCLs and silicone oil tend to emulsify together, originating an opaque fluid, which contains both silicone oil and dispersed PFCL bubbles.
Ciardella
Antonio P
AP
Department of Ophthalmology, Edward S. Harkness Eye Institute, New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, New York 10021, USA. aciardella@yahoo.com
Langton
Kevin
K
Chang
Stanley
S
D000328:Adult; D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods; D004655:Emulsions; D005260:Female; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D006801:Humans; D017075:Laser Coagulation; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012086:Reoperation; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery; D012827:Silicone Oils; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018630:Vitreoretinopathy, Proliferative / Q000601:surgery
D004655:Emulsions; D005466:Fluorocarbons; D012827:Silicone Oils; C073608:perfluorooctane