Silicone oil (SO) may be used as a tamponade for complicated vitreoretinal diseases⁽¹⁾. Due to its ability to displace aqueous humor from the retinal surface, SO maintains the adhesion between the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium⁽²⁾. Other properties of SO include intraocular inertness, transparency, and permanence until removal⁽¹⁾. Currently, recommendations are to remove the SO as long-term placement in the vitreous cavity can result in complications. Emulsification of SO is a common cause of complications. Emulsified droplets have been found in both the anterior and posterior segments, optic chiasm, and brain, resulting in keratopathy, late-onset glaucoma, and optic neuropathy. Although the potential mechanisms vary, SO in the anterior chamber can result in contact between emulsified droplets with corneal endothelial cells, leading to inflammation in the trabecular meshwork and direct SO infiltration of angle structures⁽¹⁾. Additionally, SO in the anterior chamber can lead to optical artifAacts such as bright reflex, reversed pattern of illumination, and interference fringes, due to contact with the endothelium⁽³⁾. However, the mechanism of SO emulsification remains unclear and is seemingly inevitable in some cases⁽¹⁾.

AUTHOR CONTRIBUTIONS

Substantial contribution to conception and design: Nicole B M Almeida, Laura Goldfarb Cyrino. Acquisition of data: Nicole B M Almeida, Laura Goldfarb Cyrino. Analysis and interpretation of data: not applicable. Drafting of the manuscript: Nicole B M Almeida. Critical revision of the manuscript for important intellectual content: Newton Kara Junior. Have given final approval of the submitted manuscript: Newton Kara Junior, Nicole B M Almeida, Laura Goldfarb Cyrino. Statistical analysis: not applicable. Obtaining funding: not applicable. Administrative, technical, or material support supervision: not applicable. Research group leadership: not applicable.

REFERENCES

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2. Barca F, Caporossi T, Rizzo S. Silicone oil: different physical proprieties and clinical applications. Biomed Res Int. 2014:2014:502143.

3. Gao RL, Neubauer L, Tang S, Kampik A. Silicone oil in the anterior chamber. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1989;227(2):106-9.

Submitted for publication: March 4, 2024.
Accepted for publication: March 22, 2024.

Funding: This study received no specific financial support.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest: None of the authors have any potential conflicts of interest to disclose.