Mechanical energy from intraocular instruments cause emulsification of silicone oil.
OBJECTIVE
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.
Francis
Jasmine H
JH
New York Eye and Ear infirmary, New York University Medical Center, New York, NY 10016 USA.
Latkany
Paul A
PA
Rosenthal
Jeanne L
JL
D004655:Emulsions; D006801:Humans; D008858:Microscopy, Phase-Contrast; D018918:Phacoemulsification; D012212:Rheology; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D013997:Time Factors; D014821:Vitrectomy
D004655:Emulsions; D012827:Silicone Oils