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Updated: Aug 29, 2026

Intraoperative Visualization of Subretinal Injection and Retinal Detachment in Rats
Published on: March 7, 2025
Intraocular formation of heavy oil in the subretinal space
Jehn-Yu Huang1, Chung-May Yang
1Department of Ophthalmology, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taiwan.
Background:
Heavy oil formation was found in the subretinal space in three patients with repeated vitreoretinal surgery.
Cases:
These patients had received perfluorocarbon liquid (PFL) and silicone oil injection for retinal detachment in a previous surgery.
Observations:
A transparent "heavy density" oil bubble was found in the subretinal space in these patients. The heavy oil bubble was eventually removed by manual aspiration with a blunt-tipped 21-gauge needle. The retinas were reattached in all three cases.
Conclusions:
Silicone oil may mix with incompletely removed PFL to form heavy oil. During reoperation for persistent retinal detachment, these substances should be specifically sought and removed.
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