| abstract |
One of the aspects of the present invention relates to a method for the treatment of retinal detachments utilizing a transparent liquid or gel retina reattachment enhancing material preferably perfluorotri-n-propylamine for long-term but not permanent replacement in the eye for effecting a retinal reattachment of a retinal tear. A sufficient amount of a gas is first injected into the vitreous cavity of a patient's eye having a first gel or liquid material therein and a retinal tear so that the gas expands, compresses, and displaces an amount of the first gel or liquid to provide a space for receipt of a sufficient amount of the retina reattachment enhancing material. Once sufficient space is provided in the vitreous cavity, the retina reattachment enhancing material is injected into the eye. Once the retinal tear is visible and lies flat upon the underlying tissue, the retina is tacked down around the retinal tear so as to form a retinal scar. The enhancing material is left in the eye until the retinal tear is fixedly reattached to the underlying tissue. The enhancing material which is preferably a liquid perfluorocarbon material should not remain indefinitely in the eye and is removed and replaced with a replacement material that can be left in the eye indefinitely. Outpatient procedures are emphasized. |