A 30-year-old myopic man has a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment caused by two large horseshoe tears located at the 5 and 7 o'clock positions in the inferior retina. Vitrectomy is planned. Which intraocular tamponade agent is most appropriate?

• A Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) gas
• B Perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas
• C Filtered air
• D Silicone oil ✓

Explanation

All gases are buoyant and float upward, providing effective tamponade only for superior breaks; they cannot reliably appose inferior tears such as those at 5 and 7 o'clock. Silicone oil is immiscible with water and provides prolonged tamponade in all positions, making it the agent of choice for inferior breaks, large breaks, and patients who cannot posture face down. Its disadvantages include cataract formation, keratopathy and emulsification requiring later removal.

Reference: Parsons' Diseases of the Eye, 23rd ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.