[Heavy tamponades--background and future perspectives].

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy in the inferior retina remains clinically challenging. Heavier-than-water intraocular tamponades have been developed to improve inferior tamponading properties. The parameters of an optimal intraocular tamponade are defined and the influences of the specific gravity, buoyancy, interfacial tension, and viscosity are discussed. Perfluorocarbon liquids and partially fluorinated alkanes were associated with tamponade emulsification, intraocular inflammation, and rises in intraocular pressure that were less prominent in admixtures of these substances with silicone oil (heavy silicone oils). Two recently developed heavy silicone oil tamponades, Oxane HD and Densiron 68, are well tolerated and have entered clinical practice. The side effects are associated with the chemical properties of the tamponading agent and seem comparable to those seen with conventional silicone oil. Heavy silicone oil tamponade improves inferior tamponade and may be considered as a new generation of intraocular tamponades.