Perfluorocarbon liquids (perfluorodecalin) in vitreoretinal surgery--a local experience.

A low viscosity perfluorocarbon liquid (perfluorodecalin) known commercially as DKLine was used intraoperatively as a temporary vitreous substitute in 20 patients undergoing vitrectomy surgery for a variety of complicated vitreoretinal conditions. The indications for its use included giant retinal tears (9), proliferative vitreoretinopathies (2), dislocated lenses (2), dislocated posterior chamber implant (1), endophthalmitis with retinal detachment (2), traction retinal detachment (1), pseudophakic retinal detachment (2) and exudative retinal detachment (1). In all cases with retinal detachment, perfluorodecalin was successful in flattening the retina intraoperatively. It was also successful in permitting the safe removal of dislocated lenses that were lying on the retina. In all except four cases, removal of perfluorodecalin was complete. We observed no toxic effects from remnant bubbles of perfluorocarbon in the eye.