INTRAOCULAR SILICONE LENSES IN SILICONE OIL - AN EXPERIMENTAL-STUDY

Background: To evaluate a potential effect of silicone oil on flexible silicone intraocular lenses, four lenses (STAAR AA-4203) were stored in silicone oil under sterile conditions for periods between 1 month a nd 3 years. Method: The edge and surface of the lenses were examined b y scanning electron micrography and the findings compared with a lens of the same model which had been stored in Ringer's solution for 2 yea rs. Results: After 1 year of silicone oil exposure, droplets of differ ent sizes adherent to the surface of the lens were found. These change s proceeded to a wave-like appearance of the surface after 2 and 3 yea rs of storage, so that a continuous layer of silicone oil polymers is probably covering the intraocular lens. Conclusion: Optical interferen ce has to be considered a possibility if it turns out that the droplet s cannot be removed during silicone oil evacuation. Consequently silic one intraocular lenses without hydrophilic preparation of the surface should not be implanted in eyes undergoing combined anterior and poste rior segment surgery with silicone oil tamponade or in eyes with high risk for vitreoretinal complications.