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Effect of gravity in long-term vitreous tamponade: in vivo investigation using perfluorocarbon liquids and semi-fluorinated alkanes

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An Erratum to this article was published on 09 April 2015

Abstract

Purpose

In order to investigate whether gravity is the reason for retinal degeneration in long-term vitreous tamponade, perfluorohexyloctane (F6H8), perfluorodecalin (PFD), and a mixture of F6H8/PFD were compared.

Materials and methods

Each group of 5 rabbits received a 3-month tamponade with either PFD (pure) (1.93 g/cm3), F6H8 (pure) (1.33 g/cm3), or a 1:1 mixture of F6H8/PFD (1.62 g/cm3). Electroretinograms (ERG) were performed pre- and postoperatively. Lower and upper retinal areas were compared using immunohistochemical methods. Transmission electron microscopy was performed to investigate alterations in the photoreceptors.

Results

All three substances were tolerated well in rabbit eyes for up to 3 months. Dispersion was seen earliest with PFD and latest with pure F6H8. None of the substances demonstrated inflammatory reactions or vascular alterations. ERGs were not considerably altered with any of the substances. Histology of the retina showed alterations in the cell counts within the inner and outer nuclear layer that were not attributable to the gravity of the tamponading agent.

Conclusion

In contrast to previously published work, this study did not detect any tamponade-related structural damage of the retina after a 3-months tamponade in the rabbit model. Based upon this study, we conclude that gravity might not be causally linked to retinal damage.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by RetinoVit Foundation, Cologne, and a stipend from the Katholischer Akademischer Austausch Dienst (Catholic Academic Exchange Service [KAAD]) to JM. The authors gratefully acknowledge Doris Braune, Hanna Janicki, Martina Becker, Sabine Ricke, Frank Lacina, and Irene Söndtgen for expert technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Center for Ophthalmology, University of Cologne, Kerpener Strasse 62, 50924, Cologne, Germany

    Jerzy Mackiewicz, Kristel Maaijwee, Christoph Lüke, Norbert Kociok & Antonia M. Joussen

  2. Department of Ophthalmology, University of Dusseldorf, Moorenstrasse 5, 40225, Dusseldorf, Germany

    Antonia M. Joussen

  3. Department of Ophthalmology, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland

    Jerzy Mackiewicz

  4. Fluoron GmbH, Neu-Ulm, Germany

    Wilfried Hiebl & Hasso Meinert

Authors
  1. Jerzy Mackiewicz
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  2. Kristel Maaijwee
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  3. Christoph Lüke
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  4. Norbert Kociok
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  5. Wilfried Hiebl
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  6. Hasso Meinert
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  7. Antonia M. Joussen
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antonia M. Joussen.

Additional information

W. Hiebl and H. Meinert are employees of Fluoron. All other authors have no financial interest in the data presented.

An erratum to this article is available at http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00417-015-3004-4.

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Mackiewicz, J., Maaijwee, K., Lüke, C. et al. Effect of gravity in long-term vitreous tamponade: in vivo investigation using perfluorocarbon liquids and semi-fluorinated alkanes. Graefe's Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 245, 665–675 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0414-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00417-006-0414-3

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