A new way of removing silicone oil from the surface of silicone intraocular lenses

Purpose: This study was performed to ascertain the efficacy of Perfluorhexy l-octan, C14F13H17 (F6H8), in dissolving silicone oil from the surface of s ilicone intraocular lenses. So far F6H8 is the only solvent of silicone oil that is tolerated by intraocular tissues. Materials and methods: Intraocular silicone lenses (Domilens) were examined after application of small droplets of silicone oil of two differ ent visc osities (AdatoSIL-OL 1000 and 5000) followed by rinsing with F6H8. To allow distinction between silicone oil and F6H8 the silicone oil was stained. Mi croscopic examination was carried out under video control. Results: One hundred microliters of AdatoSIL-OL 1000 could be easily remove d with about 800 mu l of F6H8; 50 mu l of AdatoSIL-OL 5000 also disappeared after 800 yl of F6H8. A larger drop of the latter oil could not be removed even after application of 2 ml of F6H8. Conclusion: Silicone oil 1000 can be easily dissolved by F6H8, whereas sili cone oil 5000 is more difficult to remove because of its higher viscosity.