title: Re-emergence of hidden residual intraocular silicone oil bubble after previous silicone oil removal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We describe the re-emergence of a hidden residual intraocular silicone oil bubble after previous silicone oil removal.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 57-year-old patient underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil for a complicated retinal detachment. Six weeks later silicone oil was removed via the pars plana and phakoemulsification with lens implantation was performed. Subsequent clinical follow-up showed an attached retina without residual silicone oil bubbles. However, more than 2 years later the patient suffered sudden visual loss. Clinical examination showed a bubble of silicone oil wedged between a remaining layer of anterior vitreous and the capsular bag, reducing central visual acuity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete extraction of the silicone oil bubble was performed via the pars plana.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Residual silicone oil bubbles may wedge themselves into vitreous pockets in the ophthalmoscopically invisible regions of the pars plana. Over time these bubbles may migrate into the retrolental space with obstruction of the visual axis.
authors.affiliation: Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules Gonin, Lausanne, Schweiz.
authors.forename: Y-D
authors.initials: YD
authors.lastname: Bifrare
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wolfensberger
mesh_terms: D004322:Drainage / Q000379:methods*; D005119:Extravasation of Diagnostic and Therapeutic Materials / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007908:Lens, Crystalline; D007910:Lenses, Intraocular; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000009:adverse effects*
chemical_list: D012827:Silicone Oils