Interaction of Perfluoro-n-octane with extracted intraocular foreign bodies.

ABSTRACT

Perfluorocarbon liquid ( PFCL ) s have been known to facilitate foreign body (FB) removal. Their ability to float the frequently encountered FB in vitreoretinal practice is unknown. We preserved all intraocular foreign bodies (IOFB) removed by ars plana vitrectomy during 6 months period. All FBs were analyzed and tested with perfluoro-n-octane to assess its usefulness in FB removal. Out of total 25 FBs extracted during the period 20 (80%) were nonmagetic with size varying from 1.5 to 7.5mm. All FBs sank when placed at saline air interface and only 2(FBs both nonmagnetic ) floated when placed at the saline-PFCL interface. In second set of experiments we were unable to float any FB off the bottom of the test container. Higher specific gravity and larger size limit the usefulness of perfluoro-n-octane for floating and manipulating most commonly-encountered IOFBs. Further work utilizing heavier PFCLs and retinal impact measurements are needed to investigate the possible (cushion effect ) offered by PFCLs during foreign body removal.