title: Some physicochemical remarks on spontaneous emulsification of vitreal tamponades.
abstract: The importance of gravitational instability in determining the emulsification of vitreal tamponades is discussed. Theoretical results and numerical simulations indicate that the spontaneous formation of water-silicon oil is a rare event and that the very low concentration of surface active agents cannot justify the systematic formation of emulsions. The gravitational instabilities seem to play the main role. Our theoretical results seem in agreement with the experimental evidences; furthermore they indicate a future research line for the improvement of endotamponades. Indeed, the use of biodegradable antifoam may avoid the formation of bubbles and delay the formation of emulsions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, via De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Ciro
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8477-6188
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Costagliola
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Brescia, Piazzale Spedali, 25123 Brescia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2275-4917
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Semeraro
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, via De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: dell'Omo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, G. Moscati Hospital, Contrada Amoretta, 83100 Avellino, Italy.
authors.forename: Lucio
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zeppa
authors.affiliation: Department of Naples, INAIL (ex ISPESL) Settore Ricerca, Certificazione Verifica, 80143 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Gennaro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bufalo
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Molise, via De Sanctis, 86100 Campobasso, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cardone
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Federico II University, Via Pansini, 80131 Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Romano
authors.affiliation: Department of Bioscience and Territory, University of Molise, Contrada Conte Lappone, Pesche, 86090 Isernia, Italy.
authors.forename: Luigi
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ambrosone
mesh_terms: D055598:Chemical Phenomena; D004655:Emulsions / Q000737:chemistry*; D057446:Hydrodynamics; D013501:Surface-Active Agents / Q000737:chemistry; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014821:Vitrectomy / Q000295:instrumentation*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D004655:Emulsions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents