What is silicone oil eye? Should I remove the silicone oil or not?

At the fundus disease clinic of Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, we often hear doctors use "silicone oil eyes" to describe the eye conditions of some patients. When you first hear this term, you may be a little confused: Silicone oil eyes? What is it? It sounds a bit strange and scary... Next, the editor will take you to understand it.

What is silicone oil eye?

Wu Jianhua, director of the Aier Eye Hospital affiliated to Wuhan University, introduced that the scientific name of silicone oil is polydimethylsiloxane, which is a colorless, non-toxic, transparent oily liquid that is harmless to the human body. It has high stability and is widely used in skin care, beauty cosmetics, daily use and medical diagnosis and treatment.

In ophthalmology, silicone oil is mainly used to fill the vitreous cavity. The eyeball filled with silicone oil in the vitreous cavity is called "silicone oil eye".

What does it mean to inject silicone oil into the eyes?

Silicone oil is a special filling material used in retinal detachment surgery. Its main purpose is to better reattach the retina. If the silicone oil stays in the eye for too long, it can easily lead to silicone oil emulsification.

Recently, a 55-year-old Uncle Cheng came to the outpatient clinic of the Department of Fundus Diseases. Uncle Cheng underwent vitrectomy + silicone oil filling surgery in a hospital in Hubei Province in July 2020 due to "left eye trauma causing decreased vision". After he was discharged from the hospital, Uncle Zhao did not have a timely follow-up examination due to work reasons, and he did not pay much attention to his eyes. In February this year, the patient came to our hospital for treatment due to eye discomfort. Director Wu found that the silicone oil in Uncle Cheng's left eye had emulsified and needed surgery in time. Recently, Director Wu performed "silicone oil removal + lens implantation" on Uncle Cheng, and Uncle Cheng's vision recovered well after the operation.

Director Wu explained that silicone oil filling is a common method in retinal detachment surgery, but silicone oil should not be permanently filled in the eyes. It is generally recommended to remove it after a period of time. The specific time is determined based on the patient's actual situation.

Q: How long does it take to remove the silicone oil?

Answer: In clinical work, after intraocular silicone oil filling surgery, doctors will tell patients that it should be removed surgically as soon as possible, generally around three to six months later, if the retina is well restored.

Q: What harm will it cause if the silicone oil is not removed?

Answer: If silicone oil stays in the eyes for too long, it can easily lead to silicone oil emulsification.

Once silicone oil is emulsified, first of all, it will cause a large number of silicone oil droplets in the eye, increasing the difficulty of removing silicone oil; secondly, emulsified silicone oil can easily block the chamber angle, thereby causing secondary glaucoma; thirdly, emulsified silicone oil can also cause bullous keratopathy.