Preliminary clinical application of foldable capsular vitreous body in severe silicone oil-dependent eyes

To investigate the clinical safety and efficacy of foldable capsular vitreous body (FCVB) in the treatment of severe silicone oil-dependent eyes.

Five patients (5 eyes) of severe silicone oil-dependent eyes underwent FCVB implantation from December 2019 to July 2020. The preoperative and postoperative visual acuity, intraocular pressure, corneal conditions, postoperative retinal reattachment, and FCVB status were observed. The patients were followed up for 12-15 months.

A total of 5 patients (5 eyes) with severe silicone oil-dependent eyes were included, including 3 males and 2 females, with an average age of 32±14 years. The longest silicone oil tamponade time was 8 years, and the shortest was 2 years, with an average of 5±3 years. All patients were safely and successfully implanted with FCVB without severe intraoperative or postoperative complications. Up to the last follow-up, there was no significant change between preoperative and postoperative visual acuity. Before surgery, 4 patients had normal intraocular pressure while 1 patient had ocular hypotension; after surgery, the latter was still at a low level, and the other patients had intraocular pressure in the normal range.

The FCVB is a safe, feasible, and effective vitreous substitute to maintain ocular morphology and intraocular pressure without aggravating silicone oil emulsification, retinal displacement, or corneal degeneration during the implantation period of 12-15 months.