Perfluorodecaline residue in the anterior chamber of a patient with an intact crystalline lens: a case report

BACKGROUND: Perfluorocarbon liquids are frequently used as intraoperative tools in vitreoretinal surgery and may occasionally be retained in the vitreous cavity. We report a patient who underwent pars plana vitrectomy for a giant tear after receiving blunt trauma to his right eye and sustained postoperative perfluorocarbon liquid residue in the anterior chamber in spite of an intact crystalline lens. CASE PRESENTATION: Perfluorodecaline was used as a temporary retinal tamponade. Three weeks after the surgery, a residue of heavy liquid was observed in the anterior chamber, even though the patient had an intact crystalline lens without any tilt or dislocation. The remnant of the heavy liquid was taken out of the anterior chamber immediately to avoid secondary complications. CONCLUSION: Presence of heavy liquids in the anterior chamber may be associated with zonular defects even though the patient has an intact crystalline lens.