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Angela Crisp, MD; Eugene de Juan, Jr, MD; James Tiedeman, MD

Arch Ophthalmol. 1987;105(4):546-550.

Abstract
• Emulsification of intravitreal silicone oil has been observed as a late complication after its use as a retinal tamponade. We compared the emulsification potential of silicone oil of different viscosities (100 centistokes [cs], 1000 cs, and 12 500 cs) and molecular composition in an in vitro model using a commercial detergent (benzalkonium chloride) and physiologic surface-active agents (human serum and lysed red blood cells). We found that silicone oils that have low-molecular-weight contents emulsify more readily than those that do not. Moreover, the extent and susceptibility to emulsification increases with decreasing viscosity or with an increase in the proportion of low-molecular-weight constituents. Hence, higher-molecular-weight (viscosity) oils or removal of low-molecular-weight components from medical grade fluid may lessen the emulsification observed clinically.

Author Affiliations
From the Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC.

Footnotes
Accepted for publication Oct 10, 1986.

Reprint requests to Duke University Eye Center, Box 3802, Durham, NC 27710 (Dr de Juan).

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