Perfluorohexyloctane Endotamponade for Treatment of Persisting Macular Hole

Abstract

Purpose

To report the use of perfluorohexyloctane to endotamponade a persisting macular hole.

Methods

A 62-year-old patient presented with persisting stage IV macular hole, after uncomplicated, but unsuccessful, pars plana vitrectomy with peeling of the inner limiting membrane of the retina for treatment of the disorder. A second pars plana vitrectomy was performed in combination with cataract surgery, using perfluorohexyloctane as a new heavyweight ocular endotamponading agent. No additional membrane peeling was done.

Results

Four weeks later, marked emulsification of the perfluorohexyloctane and pronounced opacification of the posterior lens capsule were observed. After removal of the perfluorohexyloctane ten weeks after instillation, the macular hole was closed, and visual acuity increased from 0.1 to 0.3. The whole retinal surface was covered with a whitish amorphous membranous layer, that could partially be sucked off. After another four weeks, the membrane had mostly disappeared, and visual acuity increased to 0.5.

Conclusions

Perfluorohexyloctane merits further evaluation for ocular endotamponade in patients with persisting macular holes. Formation of epiretinal membranes needs to be thoroughly investigated.