Silicone oil's properties make it a versatile tool for vit/ret surgery

Silicone oil initially was perceived as a surgical tool to separate proliferative tissue from the retinal surface. The role of silicone oil as an intraocular tamponade became more clearly established following the introduction of trans pars plana vitrectomy in 1970 and the significant subsequent refinements in surgical techniques and technology. Silicone oil maintains an important place in the vitreoretinal surgical armamentarium. It may help preserve sight in some otherwise inoperable eyes. Future research may utilize silicone oil as a reservoir for the slow release of a therapeutic concentration of lipophilic drugs that inhibit viral retinitis or the proliferation of epiretinal membranes.