Perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene versus perfluoro-n-octane in vitreoretinal surgery.

To compare two perfluorocarbon liquids, perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (Vitreon) and perfluoro-n-octane (PFO), regarding (1) ease of removal at the time of surgery and (2) efficacy and safety. Retrospective, nonrandomized, comparative trial. Two hundred sixty-four patients. All medical records of patients who participated in either the Vitreon (n = 142) or the PFO (n = 122) multicenter trials at the Wilmer Eye Institute were reviewed. Patients in the two groups were compared with respect to presence and amount of postoperative perfluorocarbon. Safety and efficacy of the two perfluorocarbon liquids were evaluated in the subset of patients undergoing surgery for retinal detachment with PVR grade C or more, who had at least 6 months of postoperative follow-up (n = 46 in the Vitreon group and n = 55 in the PFO group). Best-corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, and status of the cornea, lens, and retina after 3, 6, and 12 months of follow-up were compared in the two groups. Percentage of eyes with retained perfluorocarbon, final visual acuity, final retinal attachment rate. At the 6-month postoperative visit, retained Vitreon or PFO was detected in 8.4% and 4% of the eyes, respectively (P < 0.05). No statistically significant difference was found between the two perfluorocarbons in attachment rate or visual acuity after 6 and 12 months. After 6 months, the retina was attached in 71.7% of the eyes in which Vitreon was used and in 78.3% of the eyes in which PFO was used (P = 0.81). Visual acuity improved or remained stable in 80% of the Vitreon group eyes and in 74.5% of the PFO group eyes (P = 0.75). No statistically significant difference was found in final visual acuity or intraocular pressure between the two groups after 6 or 12 months. There was a tendency at the 12-month follow-up examination for the cornea to remain clearer in the Vitreon group (P = 0.01). Although PFO was easier to visualize and remove completely from within the eye at the time of surgery, the efficacy in terms of retinal attachment and final visual outcome was similar between the Vitreon and PFO groups.