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Updated: Mar 1, 2026
Improved Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Double Casting via Silicone Oil Treatment for Densely Packed Microstructure Replication
Published on: July 18, 2025
STICKY SILICONE OIL
Hamouda Hamdi Ghoraba1, Adel Galal Zaky, Haithem Mamoun Abd Al Fatah
1*Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Tanta University, Egypt; †Magrabi Eye Hospital, Tanta, Egypt; ‡Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt; §Department of Ophthalmology, Banha Educational Hospital, Egypt; ¶Department of Ophthalmology, Damanhour Educational Hospital, Egypt; and **Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Banha University, Egypt.
Sticky silicone oil adherence to the macula during removal is linked to perfluorooctane use. This finding helps surgeons avoid this complication in retinal detachment surgery.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Retinal Surgery
- Vitreoretinal Interface
Background:
- Silicone oil is a long-term retinal tamponade for complex retinal detachments.
- Removal of silicone oil can involve complex interactions between oil, aqueous solutions, and perfluorocarbon liquids.
- Potential for adherence of silicone oil bubbles to the posterior pole exists.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the phenomenon of sticky silicone oil on the retina during its removal.
- To identify factors contributing to silicone oil adherence at the macular area.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective, interventional case study of 796 patients undergoing silicone oil removal.
- Analysis of patients who experienced sticky silicone oil at the macula.
- Chart review to identify predisposing patient or procedural factors.
Main Results:
- Eight out of 796 silicone oil removal procedures (1%) exhibited sticky silicone oil bubbles adhering to the macula.
- The use of perfluorooctane was significantly associated with this sticky silicone oil phenomenon (P < 0.001).
Conclusions:
- Perfluorooctane use is identified as the primary factor causing sticky silicone oil bubbles at the macular region.
- Factors such as internal limiting membrane peeling, epiretinal membrane, silicone oil viscosity, duration, or brand were not related to the adherence.
