Immunopathology of intraocular silicone oil: retina and epiretinal membranes

The use of silicone oil-RMN3 (Oxane HD) as heavier-than-water internal tamponade in complicated inferior retinal detachment surgery

“…A similar observation has previously been reported in a study of retro-oil epiretinal membranes, and suggests that there is sequential recruitment of different cell types as the membrane forms [22]. Characteristically, inflammatory cells, including macrophages, are not prominent components of PVR epiretinal membranes that have arisen in the absence of tamponade agents [23,24]. By contrast, blood-borne macrophages (CD68-positive with an absence of cytokeratin markers) were the most prominent cell type within these retro-oil membranes, an observation consistent with that reported in previous studies of retro-oil ERMs [24][25][26].…”

Increased Retinal Thinning after Combination of Internal Limiting Membrane Peeling and Silicone Oil Endotamponade in Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

“…The mechanism of how SO endotamponade causes retinal thinning remains unclear. Previous studies have shown the migration of SO into the ocular tissues, including the optic nerve, and the subsequent induction of an inflammatory response mediated by macrophages in several human and animal studies [12][13][14][15][29][30][31][32] ; however, retinal thinning occurs not only in severe cases but also in mildto-moderate cases; thus, it is difficult to conclude that SO intraretinal infiltration is the only cause for the retinal thinning. There have also been reports on the changes in visual outcome and retinal thickness caused by treatment with SO endotamponade.…”

Peeling of internal limiting membrane during vitrectomy for complicated retinal detachment prevents epimacular membrane formation

“…The pathogenesis of epiretinal membrane formation after vitrectomy is not well-understood. An inflammatory response to silicone oil or increased concentration of fibrogenic growth factors at the retrosilicone space, which might possibly contain vitreous remnants, may contribute to the formation of epimacular membrane [8,9]. An inflammatory response of the retina to the silicone oil develops within 1 month of silicone oil injection, and continues after silicone oil removal [8].…”