Three-Dimensional OCT Features of Perfluorocarbon Liquid Trapped Under the Fovea

Two patients with perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL) trapped under the fovea after vitreoretinal surgery for repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment were reported. PFCL was used to flatten the retina intraoperatively. Postoperatively, a bubble of PFCL was trapped under the fovea and was removed surgically in both patients. Three-dimensional and orthogonal optical coherence tomography (OCT) features in both cases are reported. Three-dimensional OCT features in our two cases were retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) pigment disorganization, disruption of both external limiting membrane backreflection line and reflectivity of the photoreceptor inner and outer segment junction, and hyperreflectivity at the base of the PFCL bubble corresponding to the zone of interface of PFCL and damaged RPE. Trapped subfoveal PFCL should be removed surgically as soon as possible to prevent structural retinal damage. Spectral domain OCT is a useful tool to demonstrate subclinical structural damage of the neurosensory retina and RPE.