DFPE, partially fluorinated ether: a novel approach for experimental intravitreal tamponade.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate decafluoro-di-n-pentyl ether (DFPE) as a vitreous tamponade by examining ocular tolerance in rabbits' eyes.


METHODS
Thirteen rabbits were divided into 4 groups after mechanical vitrectomy and were followed up to 12 months. The tamponade remained in the eye for 6 months in group 1 (DFPE) and Group 3 (DFPE and silicone oil) and for 12 months in group 2 (DFPE). Group 4 served as control.


RESULTS
In groups 1, 2, and 3, dispersion of the fluid appeared 2 weeks postoperatively. Posterior subcapsular cataracts appeared in rabbits' eyes with large fills of DFPE (>50%). Histologic findings in groups 1 and 2 showed no detectable change in outer nuclear layer thickness. Except for some vacuolations, the inner retina was well preserved in all injected rabbits' eyes. On the electroretinography of injected rabbits' eyes, there was no effect on the a wave amplitude and b wave implicit time, but the b wave amplitude was elevated with statistical significance (P < 0.001) at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively but with no statistical significance (P > 0.05) after that period when compared with group 4 and unoperated fellow rabbits' eyes of each group.


CONCLUSIONS
Decafluoro-di-n-pentyl ether demonstrated minimum adverse effects in retinal rabbits; further studies are needed before clinical use as short-term tamponade.
Department of Ophthalmology, Columbia University/Harkness Eye Institute, New York, New York, USA. oculare@gmail.com
Rodrigo A V
RA
Santos
David J
DJ
Keegan
Brian S
BS
Fuchs
Brian J
BJ
Song
Marcos P
MP
Avila
Nigel
N
Simpson
Janet R
JR
Sparrow
Stanley
S
Chang
D000818:Animals; D002386:Cataract / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D004338:Drug Combinations; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000187:drug effects; D058450:Endotamponade; D004987:Ethers / Q000633:toxicity*; D058449:Intravitreal Injections; D007908:Lens, Crystalline / Q000187:drug effects*; D008297:Male; D011817:Rabbits; D012160:Retina / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000633:toxicity; D014821:Vitrectomy; D014822:Vitreous Body
D004338:Drug Combinations; D004987:Ethers; D012827:Silicone Oils