Management of Retained Submacular Perfluorocarbon Liquid

Abstract

Abstract: : Purpose: To report anatomic and visual outcomes in patients with retained submacular perfluorocarbon liquid (PFO). Methods: Seven patients with retained submacular PFO were identified. All seven had previously undergone repair of macula–off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment with intraoperative use of PFO. Results: Subfoveal PFO was surgically removed in five eyes using pars plana vitrectomy techniques. Preoperatively, visual acuity ranged from counting fingers to 20/200 (mean 20/200). All eyes showed postoperative visual improvemnt of three or more lines (mean 20/70) . The two remaining eyes, one extrafoveal and one small subfoveal PFO, were managed conservatively for 36 and 30 months respectively. In both eyes the final best–corrected visual acuity was 20/30. The extrafoveal PFO did show submacular migration of about 500 microns. OCT images in both eyes showed significant retinal thinning over the PFO droplets and the degree of thinning appeared to be related to the size of the droplet. Conclusions: Surgical removal of subfoveal PFO can result in visual improvement. However, selected cases of stable extrafoveal and small subfoveal PFO may be managed conservatively. Larger clinical studies are needed to develop better guidelines for the management of this rare complication.

Keywords: vitreoretinal surgery • retina • retinal detachment