Development of a new emulsification resistant silicone oil endotamponade

1. Christian Lingenfelder¹
2. Nadine Hagedorn¹
3. Albert Caramoy²
4. Bernd Kirchhof²

¹Fluoron GmbH, Ulm, Germany
²Universitäts-Augenklinik, Köln, Germany

Purpose: The major drawback using silicone oil tamponades is their tendency to emulsify, especially when they are used for long time or in patients with a high protein level in the eye. This emulsification is caused by small droplets, which separate from the main oil bubble and are stabilized by proteins. By means of a high elastic portion in the silicone oil it is possible to reduce its tendency to emulsify. Therefore, the objective was to develop a silicone oil tamponade with a very high elastic fraction.

Methods: Different mixtures of high molecular weight silicone oil (HMW silicone; 2.500.000 mPas) and low molecular weight silicone oil (1000 mPas) were characterized rheologically. In addition, emulsification stability was analyzed in vitro.

Results & Conclusions: A mixture of 10 wt.% HMW silicone / 90 wt.% 1000 mPas silicone oil showed the highest elastic fraction while mixtures consisting of less or more HMW silicone displayed lower elastic portions. This mixture containing 10 wt.% HMW silicone oil exhibits a better emulsification resistance in vitro compared to other mixtures and standard silicone oils (1000 mPas and 5000 mPas). The use of a newly developed silicone oil endotamponade with 10 wt.% HMW silicone included can prevent early emulsification and might be helpful especially for its use as long-term tamponade and for patients with high risk for emulsification.