Experimental evaluation of low-viscosity fluorosilicone oil as a temporary vitreous substitute

Fluorosilicone oil, a high specific gravity fluorinated silicone oil, has been recently reevaluated for temporary use in surgery to repair complicated retinal detachments. We evaluated the toxicity of a low-viscosity (300 centistokes) fluorosilicone oil as a vitreous substitute in vitrectomized eyes of albino rabbits. No toxicities could be demonstrated by histopathologic and electroretinographic examinations 6 weeks following surgery. In vitro experiments also showed no toxic effects on cultured retinoblastoma cells. When fluorosilicone oil was injected into the anterior chamber, endothelial cell damage could be seen 2 weeks following injection. Low-viscosity fluorosilicone oil appears to be a safe vitreous substitute for temporary use; it is easily injected and removed, and it maintains adequate surface tension for intraocular tamponade. Because of its relative low viscosity, 300-cst fluorosilicone oil (FS) may be a better vitreous substitute than perfluorocarbon liquids for both intraoperative manipulation of the retina and short-term intraocular tamponade for complicated retinal detachments.