Intraocular Tolerance Of Perfluorooctylbromide (perflubron)

To determine the intraocular tolerance of perfluorooctylbromide (perflubron) in vitrectomized rabbit and pig eyes and evaluated its use as a vitreous substitute in vitreoretinal surgery. 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. 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. These findings indicate that perflubron is safe for intraoperative and for longterm 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.