Retinal and Corneal Changes Associated with Intraocular Silicone Oil Tamponade

Silicone oils (SO) are used as long-term intraocular tamponades and have an irreplaceable role in vitreoretinal surgery. They can, however, be associated with multiple and potentially severe complications, involving different ocular tissues, in particular retina and cornea. Recent advances in ophthalmic imaging have allowed the precise characterization of retinal and corneal microstructural changes, at a subclinical level. This detailed analysis of SO-related retinal and corneal changes has improved our understanding of their pathogenesis and offer the potential for optimized monitoring and management of patients with SO-filled eyes. This review aims to provide clinicians and ophthalmic scientists with an updated and comprehensive overview of the corneal and retinal changes associated with SO tamponade.

Automated summary

Silicone oils play a crucial role as long-term intraocular tamponades in vitreoretinal surgery, but they can lead to multiple severe complications. Recent advances in ophthalmic imaging have improved our understanding of the microscopic changes in the retina and cornea caused by silicone oils, offering the potential for optimized monitoring and management for patients with silicone oil-filled eyes.