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Br J Ophthalmol 2007;91:818-821 doi:10.1136/bjo.2006.103994
  • Laboratory science - Scientific reports

Mechanical energy from intraocular instruments cause emulsification of silicone oil

  1. Jasmine H Francis1,
  2. Paul A Latkany2,
  3. Jeanne L Rosenthal3
  1. 1New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
  2. 2225 E. 38th St New York, NY, 10016 USA
  3. 3New York Eye and Ear Infirmary, New York, NY, USA
  1. Correspondence to: Paul A Latkany New York Eye and Ear infirmary, 225 E. 38th St New York, NY, 10016 USA; all27email{at}yahoo.com
  • Accepted 8 October 2006
  • Published Online First 11 October 2006

Abstract

Aim: The complications of intraocular silicone oil include emulsification, which may lead to vision-threatening disorders such as keratopathy, secondary glaucoma and retinopathy. The authors study the effect of mechanical energy from surgical instruments on the emulsification of silicone oil.

Methods: Three different handpieces (phacofragmentation, phacoemulsification, high-speed vitrectomy) were placed at the interface of balanced salt solution and silicone oil (1000 and 5000 cst, 200 fluid; Dow Corning). The phacofragmentation handpiece was evaluated over different ultrasound powers and duration. Emulsification was quantified with phase-contrast microscopy and manual counting of digital photographs by a masked examiner. In addition, phacoemulsification was performed in the anterior chamber of a human ex vivo eye with full-fill silicone oil.

Results: Emulsification increases with higher phacofragmentation power and duration and is greater for 1000 cst silicone oil. Emulsification of silicone oil occurs with phacoemulsification and high-speed vitrectomy handpieces.

Conclusions: The energy from surgical handpieces is sufficient to result in silicone oil emulsification.

Footnotes

  • Competing interests: None.

  • Published Online First 11 October 2006

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