PDMS and PFO is effective as tamponade

A study published in Clinical Ophthalmology has proved the efficacy of using polydimethyloxane (PDMS) and perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) as tamponade in patients with retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

An investigation led by Dr Stefano Zenoni, Bergamno Hospital, Bergamo, Italy, aimed to evaluate ocular tolerance and efficacy of short-term tamponade with double-filling of PDMS and perfluoro-n-octane (PFO) in 30 patients. Double filling with 30% PFO and 70% PDMS was performed for a mean period of 23 days. Follow-up visits were scheduled for 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. The main outcome measures included visual acuity, intraocular pressure (IOP), PVR reprofileration and electrophysiological parameters.

Of the 30 patients, 14 experienced improved postoperative visual acuity, 12 patients maintained preoperative visual acuity and 4 patients had a decrease in visual acuity. The average postoperative IOP was 19.7 mmHg. Nine patients experienced an increase in IOP, which was later treated with topical drops or systematic carbonic anhydrase.

Additionally, the researchers found a statistically significant difference in the data obtained with the electroretinogram (ERG) between week 4 and 8 of the follow-up period. There were no electroretinographic traces of retinal toxicity and there was a low occurrence of PVR reproliferation.