Tamponade efficiency of perfluorohexyloctane and silicone oil solutions in a model eye chamber

Abstract

Background/aim: As no single tamponade agent yet fulfils all the requirements of a long term inferior tamponade, attempts have been made to mix tamponade materials. This study investigated perfluorohexyloctane (F 6H8) and silicone oil solutions designed to take advantage of the high specific gravity and interfacial tension of the F6H 8 and the high viscosity of silicone oil. Methods: Solutions of three different densities were examined (1.01, 1.03 and 1.06 g/cm3) inside transparent chambers made of surface modified poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA). Results: Compared to F6H8, the solutions had poorer contact with hydrophilic surface of the chambers. The higher the specific gravity of the solution, the better was the contact. The solution with a specific gravity 1.01 g/cm3 is probably of no use clinically. Conclusion: The model eye chamber made of surface modified PMMA is an efficient way of screening and choosing solutions with promising physical properties. Solutions of silicone oil with F6H8 in other proportions or with other semifluorinated alkanes may be of interest.