[Reaction of ocular tissues to scleral-implant and encircling material: polyamide--silicone--polyester (author's...

Twenty-two human eyes and one rejected Silastic sponge were examined histopathologically for the reaction of ocular tissues to buckling and encircling materials. The eyes were enucleated 22 days to 14 years following retinal detachment surgery. Silicone implants, Silastic sponges, and Mersilene bands were very well tolerated by the eye, whereas nylon threads caused a moderate and prolonged granulomatous inflammation due to their susceptability to enzymatic decomposition. This reaction, however, does not seem to be of major clinical importance, as the amount of nylon used in detachment operations is low. Atrophy of the underlying sclera can happen with any of the above-mentioned materials and depends mostly on mechanical factors of the implant and on the intraocular pressure. Even with total transcleral erosion of the buckling or encircling material, no severe histopathologic changes could be found in the overlying choroid and retina.