Effects of the long-term use of perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene on the retina.

Perfluorocarbon liquids have gained wide acceptance as intraoperative tools that can simplify vitreoretinal surgical maneuvers. These low-viscosity liquids facilitate injection into the eye and removal from the eye during surgery. Tolerance to perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene and the development of proliferative vitreoretinopathy with its extended use are not clear. The authors present the clinical and histologic findings of a patient, previously lost to follow-up, who was examined after several weeks of intraocular tamponade with perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene. Damage to the retina was seen in response to the long-term postoperative use of perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene.