RecruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Influence of Perfluorocarbon Liquid (LIQUID) During Pars Plana Vitrectomy on Retinal Vessel Displacement in Primary Macula-involving Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment

This study investigates if a special liquid, called perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL), used during eye surgery for a detached retina affects how your retina settles afterwards. When your retina detaches, an operation called a pars plana vitrectomy is often done. Sometimes, even after a successful operation, people experience distorted vision. This distortion might be linked to the retina shifting slightly from its original position, which we can see on special eye scans. We want to understand if using PFCL during surgery, which helps flatten the retina, influences this shifting. By studying this, we hope to improve vision outcomes for patients after a detached retina operation.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Enrolment target

292

Start

28 Oct 2025

Estimated completion

01 Oct 2027

Retinal Displacement After Retinal Detachment Surgery

What is this study about?

Imagine the retina at the back of your eye like a film in a camera. If it peels away, that's called a detached retina. It's a serious eye condition that can quickly affect your vision. One common operation to fix this is a pars plana vitrectomy. While this surgery is often very successful at reattaching the retina, some people still notice problems with their vision afterwards, like things looking wavy or distorted, even if their retina is back in place.

Doctors have noticed that sometimes, after surgery, the retina might reattach but end up in a slightly different position than before. Think of it like a picture on a wall that's been put back up, but a tiny bit crooked, which can affect how you see things. We can now use special imaging scans to see these subtle shifts. One tool used during surgery to help flatten and position the retina is a liquid called perfluorocarbon liquid (PFCL). We don't fully understand if using this liquid affects how much the retina might shift, or if it influences those annoying visual distortions people sometimes experience.

This study aims to compare what happens in people who have surgery for a detached retina, some with this special liquid used during their operation and some without. We will carefully look at detailed eye scans and also ask about their vision and any distortions. By doing this, we hope to learn more about how different surgical techniques might lead to better, clearer vision for patients after their detached retina operation.

Key takeaways

The study looks at how surgery for a detached retina affects vision.
It focuses on whether a special liquid used in surgery influences how the retina settles.
Researchers want to understand why some people experience distorted vision after surgery.
Detailed eye scans and vision tests will help compare results.
The aim is to improve future surgical outcomes and patient vision.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be at least 18 years old and have been diagnosed with a specific type of detached retina that affects the central part of your vision (called the macula). Your eye doctor must also believe that using a gas bubble in your eye after surgery is suitable for you, and they must be confident they can perform your surgery either with or without using the special liquid being studied.

However, you won't be able to join if you've had a detached retina or eye surgery on the same eye before, or if your doctor plans to use a silicone oil bubble for your recovery. We also can't include people whose retina hasn't detached in the central vision area, or who have other eye diseases that might permanently affect their retina, like severe diabetes-related eye problems. If you've previously taken part in other retinal studies, or if medical issues prevent you from having eye scans or following post-surgery instructions, you won't be able to participate either.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

Are you 18 years old or older?
Has your eye doctor told you that your detached retina affects your central vision?
Have you *not* had previous surgery on this eye for a detached retina?
Can you attend follow-up appointments for about three months after surgery?
Are you able to have special eye scans done?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, your detached retina surgery will be performed as planned by your surgeon. The decision about whether the special liquid is used during your operation will be part of the study; this will be decided by chance, like flipping a coin. After your surgery, you'll need to attend several follow-up appointments over about three months. At these appointments, doctors will check your vision and take special detailed pictures of your eye using advanced scanning equipment. This will help us understand how your retina has healed and whether there have been any subtle shifts. There are no additional medications involved in this study beyond your usual post-operative care.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study may offer some potential benefits, as you will receive careful monitoring of your retinal health and vision after surgery, which could help your medical team better understand your recovery. However, there are no guarantees of direct personal benefits. As with any surgical procedure, there are always some risks involved, and specific risks related to the use or non-use of the special liquid will be discussed in detail by your surgeon. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without affecting your medical treatment or care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.

Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
Verified postcode
Norwich, United Kingdom· Recruiting

Common questions

What is a 'detached retina'?

It's when the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye, called the retina, pulls away from its normal position, which can cause blurry vision or even blindness if not treated.

What is 'pars plana vitrectomy'?

It's a common eye surgery to fix a detached retina. The surgeon removes the jelly-like substance from the middle of your eye and then reattaches the retina.

Why do some people have distorted vision after surgery?

Even after successful surgery, the retina might settle in a slightly different place, which can cause images to look wavy or distorted. This study is trying to understand why this happens.

What is the 'perfluorocarbon liquid'?

It's a special liquid that surgeons can use during the operation to help flatten the retina and hold it in place while they fix it. This study wants to see how it affects your vision afterwards.

Will I know if the liquid was used in my surgery?

Because this is a study, the decision to use the liquid or not will be made randomly. You might not know during the study, as this helps doctors get unbiased results.

How to find out more

Francesco Sabatino

francesco.sabatino@nnuh.nhs.uk +441603 286286 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.