Emulsification tendency of silicone-phenylsilicone copolymer

Purpose: We compared the emulsification tendency of silicone-phenyilsilicon e copolymer (DPC; 5%-phenylated, specific gravity 0.984) with that of silic one oil (SO; specific gravity 0.966) and fluorosilicone oil (FSO; specific gravity 1.256), all of which are used clinically as intraocular tamponades. Methods: We investigated the tendencies of emulsification in SO, FSO, and D PC. Each was placed in a separate glass container with equal amounts of alb umin solution (1 mg/mL) or 1 gamma -globulin solution (1 mg/mL) and shaken. We also investigated the toxicity of DPC in the rabbit eye. Following vitr ectomy, we injected DPC into the vitreous cavity and assessed the retinal d amage histologically. Results: The SO and DPC, because their specific gravities, are closer to wa ter, tended to become less emulsified than did FSO. We found that DPC did n ot cause any severe histological damage in the rabbit retina. Conclusion: Highly phenylated DPC is slightly heavier than water and may be used instead of FSO to treat inferior retinal detachment. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2001;45:53-59 (C) 2001 Japanese Ophthalmologiscal Society.