A technique of performing a relaxing retinotomy under the perfluorocarbon liquid perfluoroperhydropenanthrene (Vitreon, Vitrophage, Inc., Lyons, IL) is described. This procedure allows perfluorocarbon liquid to be used to maintain the retina in the desired position and to dissect proliferative membranes prior to the retinotomy without having to remove the Vitreon to perform the retinotomy.