To assess the inadvertent intraocular retention of perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) after vitreoretinal surgery and their complications.

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 108 patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgeries using intraoperative PFCL (perfluoro-n-octane (C₈F₁₈), 0.69 centistoke at 25℃, PERFLUORN®, Alcon, USA) and the removal of PFCL through fluid-air exchange. The analysis was focused on the occurrence of intraocular retained PFCL, diagnoses, surgicalprocedures, and complications.

Retinal detachment (51 cases, 47%) was the most common surgery which used PFCL intraoperatively. Other causes were vitreous hemorrhage (24 cases, 22%), posteriorly dislocated lens (22 cases, 21%), and trauma (11 cases, 10%). Intraocular PFCL was found in a total of 9 (8.3%) eyes. PFCL bubbles remained in anterior chamber and vitreous cavity were observed in 4 cases and subretinal retained PFCL was observed in 5 cases. Three of 5 cases of subretinal PFCL exhibited in subfoveal space. Among the three subfoveal cases, macular hole developed after PFCL removal in 1 case, epiretinal membrane in the area where had been PFCL bubble. However, we observed no complications in 1 case of subfoveal PFCL that was removed by surgery. PFCL in anterior chamber and vitreous cavity were in 4 cases.

The presence of subfoveal PFCL might affect visual and anatomic outcomes. However, subfoveal PFCL may induce visual complications, and therefore requires special attention.