Clinicopathological correlation of epiretinal membranes and posterior lens opacification following perfluorohexyloctane tamponade
- Paul Hiscott, Unit of Ophthalmology, Department of Medicine, University Clinical Departments, Duncan Building, Daulby Street, Liverpool, L69 3GA, UKP.S.Hiscott{at}liverpool.ac.uk
- Accepted 22 August 2000
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Epiretinal and retrolental proliferation may occur during prolonged use of the novel tamponade agent perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8). This study aims to determine whether there is any histological evidence that F6H8has a role in the formation of these membranes.
METHODS Eight epiretinal membranes and three opaque posterior lens capsules were excised from patients in whom F6H8 had been used as a long term retinal tamponade agent. The membranes and capsules were examined employing light microscopic methods, including immunohistochemistry.
RESULTS The epiretinal membranes showed histological features typical of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) epiretinal membranes, but they also exhibited a dense macrophagic infiltration. In addition, three of the membranes contained multinucleated cells. Macrophages represented up to 30% of the cells present and appeared to contain large intracytoplasmic vacuoles. Similar cells were seen on the back of the posterior lens capsule in one specimen and all three capsules had posterior migration of lens epithelium.
CONCLUSION The pathological findings are not simply those of PVR. The macrophage infiltration suggests that there may be a biological reaction to F6H8 which could reflect its surmised propensity to emulsify. Further investigations concerning the cellular response to this promising tamponade agent are warranted.
