The ocular effects of gases when injected into the anterior chamber of rabbit eyes
D. A. Lee, M. R. Wilson, M. O. Yoshizumi and M. Hall
Jules Stein Eye Institute, UCLA School of Medicine 90024-7004.
We studied the toxic effects of sulfur hexafluoride and perfluoropropane in
comparison with air, balanced salt solution, hyaluronate sodium, and
aqueous humor in a rabbit model. Sixty normal pigmented rabbits were
studied during a period of 4 weeks. The variables studied were slit-lamp
biomicroscopic examination of the anterior segment, intraocular pressure as
measured by pneumotonometry, corneal thickness and endothelial cell count
as measured by specular microscopy, lens opacity by Scheimpflug
photography, and light and transmission electron microscopy. All three
gases were more toxic to the cornea and lens than were balanced salt
solution, hyaluronate, and aqueous humor. However, 15% perfluoropropane and
50% sulfur hexafluoride were no more toxic to the eye than air was.
Therefore, this study suggests that nonexpansile mixtures of
perfluoropropane and sulfur hexafluoride may be beneficial and relatively
safe in re-forming persistently flat anterior chambers in situations where
the use of air is being considered.
