Ultrasound biomicroscopy in silicone oil-filled eyes

Purpose: To establish reproducible ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) imaging p atterns characteristic of the presence and behavior of silicone oil and of peripheral vitreoretinal proliferation in eyes that have undergone vitreore tinal surgery with silicone oil injection. Methods: The study design was a case series. Ultrasound biomicroscopy was p erformed on 34 eyes of 34 patients (age range, 20-68 years). For an image t o be considered a UBM pattern, it was required to be consistently reproduci ble in the same eye and to be observed in more than one eye. Results: Four patterns are described: silicone oil particles, ghost images, "painting" or surface impregnation of iris and anterior chamber angle, and peripheral proliferative vitreoretinopathy. One type of ghost image, the s econdary reflection of the cornea, paired with disappearance of the aqueous -silicone oil interface corresponded to massive silicone oil displacement i nto the anterior chamber. Gross proliferation produced funnel and tentlike images, whereas minute, networklike images seemed to represent early change s. There was a close correspondence between these UBM patterns and previous ophthalmologic clinical findings. Conclusion: Easily recognizable, distinct UBM patterns are characteristic o f conditions found in silicone oil-filled eyes. Ultrasound biomicroscopy se ems to be a useful tool for assessing changes in silicone oil-filled eyes.