Interactions between light and vitreous fluid substitutes.

To determine the interactions between light and vitreous fluid substitutes, we studied the absorption and fluorescence properties of the following fluids that are commonly used in vitreoretinal surgery: Ringer's solution, balanced salt citrate-buffered solution, balanced salt bicarbonate-buffered solution, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose ophthalmic solution, hyaluronate sodium, perfluorocarbons, silicone oil, and fluorosilicone oil. The absorption spectra for all the fluids peaked in the UV-C (reference range <280 nm) and UV-B (reference range from 315 to 280 nm) regions of the spectrum, with little or no absorption in the visible region of the spectrum (from 400 to 700 nm). Emission of almost all of the fluids occurred mainly in the 300- to 360-nm region, with fairly low-quantum efficiency. The limited light absorption properties of the fluids calls for caution during transpupillary and intraocular laser photocoagulation to avoid excessive retinal damage, mainly when the laser power is increased during treatment. Transmission of incoherent light (environmental and ophthalmic artificial light) through highly transparent vitreous fluid substitutes may lead in time to dangerous light exposure, particularly in aphakic eyes. The emitted fluorescence in these fluids generates a minimal risk of long-term damage.