Intravitreal Longevity of Three Perfluorocarbon Gases

Abstract

• Three gases, perfluoromethane, perfluoroethane, and perfluoropropane (CF₄, C₂F₆, and C, F₈, respectively) were studied for their possible value as intravitreal tamponades in retinal surgery. The gases expand and have intraocular longevities that increase with the length of the carbon chain. A 0.4-cc injection of CF, remained in the eye six days, twice as long as an equivalent amount of air; C₂F₆ remained 16 days, more than four times as long as air; and C₃F₈ remained 28 days, nine times as long as air and four times as long as sulfur hexafluoride.