Perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (Vitreon) as a short-term vitreous substitute after complex vitreoretinal surgery.

Forty-one eyes underwent surgery for complex vitreoretinal disease, with perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene (Vitreon) used as an intraoperative tool and postoperative vitreous substitute. Postoperative use of Vitreon ranged from 3 days to 9 weeks (mean, 3.3 weeks). All retinas were reattached intraoperatively; 73% remained attached after the initial surgery. The final macular attachment rate was 100% after additional surgery. Four eyes that received a combination of Vitreon and silicone oil for simultaneous superior and inferior tamponade were successfully reattached after the initial procedure. Visual acuity improved or remained stable in 80% of the eyes. No toxic effects directly attributable to Vitreon were observed. Mean follow up was 9 months.