Electronic-microscopic investigation of the retina in tamponade of the vitreal cavity with perfluorine organic compounds

Introduction. Perfluorine organic compounds (PFOC) possess valuable qualities for vitreoretinal surgeries, and their use for short-term tamponade could expand indi?cations to operative treatment and improve results. However, there is no unequivocal opinion concerning the mechanical effect of PFOC on the ultrastructure of the retina. It is also important to compare the effect of PFOC and ?light? silicone oil. The purpose of the study: investigation of the influence of tamponade of various duration of the vitreoretinal cavity by PFOC, ?light? silicone oils as well as physiological solution on the ultrastructure of the retina of the rabbit eyes in dynamics after the end of tamponade. Material and methods. Electronic-microscopic investigation (EMI) was made in 36 rabbits (72 eyes). All animals have been performed posterior closed subtotal vitrectomy with the subsequent 7, 14 30-day's tamponade with PFOC (the right eye), ?light? silicone and physiological solution (the left eye). The ultrastructure of the retina was investigated in dynamics after the end of tamponade in 7, 14 and 30 days. Results. All three kinds of the substances used exert the characteristic, of the same type influence on the ultrastructure of the retinal elements. They mainly include hydropic changes of the smooth endoplasmic net of the cells of the pigment retinal epithelium (PRE). PRE mitochondria and internal segments of photoreceptor cells (PC), gangliac cells and muller's cells as well as intracellular compensative-restorative processes allowing to normalize the structures. Conclusion. The changes of the retinal ultrastructure studied by us after the tamponade of the vitreal cavity with PFOC is close to changes caused the application of the standard tamponade substance ? ?light? silicone oil, therefore it can be proposed for treatment of different forms of the retinal detachment as a short-term tamponade of the vitreal cavity.