Physical and toxicological aspects of different perfluorocarbons and semifluorinated compounds are discussed. The urgent need for ultrapurification of perfluorocarbons is demonstrated. In vitro laser treatment simulating physiological conditions of two ultrapur-ified perfluorocarbons used for temporary tamponade and mechanical fixation of unfolded retina in case of giant tears, and one semifluorinated diether resulted in no detectable chemical alteration. Cytotoxic examinations of both laser treated and untreated probes showed no difference in cell proliferation.
