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Updated: Nov 9, 2025
A Reversible Silicon Oil-Induced Ocular Hypertension Model in Mice
Published on: November 15, 2019
Intravitreal Silicone Oil Migration Into the Lateral Cerebral Ventricles
Jessica L Cao1,2, Andrew W Browne3,4, Thomas Clifford2
1Cole Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Foundation, Cleveland, OH, USA.
Purpose:
Silicone oil (SO) is often used as an intraocular tamponade in repairs of retinal detachments. It may be associated with complications such as cataract, glaucoma, keratopathy, subretinal migration of oil, fibrous epiretinal and sub retinal proliferations, and oil emulsification. The purpose of this report is to describe a rare phenomenon of intraocular silicone oil migration into the cerebral ventricles, which may later be mistaken for intraventricular hemorrhages on neuroimaging.
Methods:
Case report with literature review.
Results:
A patient with a history of retinal detachment repair with intraocular SO presented with headaches. Neuroimaging revealed SO migration to the cerebral ventricles. The patient was treated conservatively with symptom management and headaches resolved.
Conclusions:
We present a case of intraocular SO migration to the cerebral ventricles and review the current literature. We also propose two mechanisms for this phenomenon.
