OCULAR THERAPY WITH SILICONE OILS

It has been 30 years since the first reported use of intraocular liqui d silicones for retinal reattachment. During this time, there have bee n many notable advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation tog ether with an improved understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of c omplex retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopa thy. More recent attention has also been focused on improving the qual ity of the previously used commercial silicone oils. Enhanced surgical results combined with refined high-viscosity oils have led to a drama tic decrease in complications previously associated with and ascribed to the use of liquid silicone. This article reviews the literature reg arding ocular use of silicone oils as an instrument and as a tamponade .