EXPERIMENTAL RETINAL TOLERANCE TO VERY-LOW VISCOSITY SILICONE OIL (100 CS) AS A VITREOUS SUBSTITUTE COMPARED TO HIGHER VISCOSITY SILICONE OIL (5000 CS)

We evaluated the toxicity of very low viscosity (100 centistokes) and higher viscosity (100 centistokes) and higher viscosity silicone oil ( 5000 centistokes) in rabbit eyes as a short-to-long-term postoperative vitreous substitute (6 weeks 5 months). Emulsification of 100-cs and 5000-cs silicone oil did not occur in eyes which were followed for as long as 5 months. No toxic effects to retinal cells were detected by l ight or electron microscopy. Because no toxic effects were seen with 1 00-cs silicone oil, it can be used in an outpatient setting as a short -term postoperative tamponading agent. Electroretinographic responses of silicone-injected eyes were normal.