PubMedDate not supplied
PURPOSE: We studied the toxicity of perfluorophenanthrene (PFP), used as short-, medium-, or long-term internal tamponading substance, on the rabbit choroid and retina. The aim was the check whether PFP is tolerated as a tamponade in the eye or damages the retina, and if any such damage is due to toxicity or to emulsification which may stimulate phagocytosis. METHODS: Twenty-four right eyes of rabbits operated by vitrectomy were filled with 0.8-1 ml of PFP as retinal tamponading substance. Twelve eyes were operated by vitrectomy and filled with 0.8-1 ml of balanced salt solution as the control group. Direct and indirect ophthalmoscopy was done on the third and seventh day after surgery, then once a week. Enucleation, with histological and immunohistochemical examination, was done on the second day, then in the first, second, fourth and eighth weeks after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Histological examination showed progressive damage of the chorioretinal tissues right from the second week: the chorioretinal structure was completely altered from the eighth week. Immunohistochemical examinations showed that glia cells were involved in the inflammation consequent to internal tamponade with PFP.