The effect of liquid silicone on the rabbit retina. Histologic and ultrastructural study
M. Gonvers, J. P. Hornung and C. de Courten
Silicone oil was injected into 23 rabbit eyes, which had undergone
vitrectomy and which were then examined in the electron microscope six
weeks later. Retinal lesions were observed in the outer plexiform layer.
They consisted mainly of a subtotal disappearance of the processes of
horizontal and bipolar cells and of the synaptic terminals of the
photoreceptors. The lesions were seen only in areas of the retina that had
been in permanent contact with the oil bubble. They did not depend on the
purity of the silicone oil injected.
