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Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences

Silicone oil droplet on intraocular lens (IOL)

Silicone oil droplet on intraocular lens (IOL)

Category(ies): Cataract, Lens, retina, Vitreous
Contributor: Christopher Kirkpatrick, MD and Anna Kitzmann, MD
Photographer: Toni Venckus. CRA

Silicone oil is a commonly used material in retina surgery, typically vitrectomy; it’s adherence to silicone IOLs is a widely recognized phenomenon and use of a silicone IOL is contraindicated in patients that have had or are at high risk of needing a vitrectomy. Silicone oil on an IOL is seen as variable sized droplets that are adherent to the surface of the IOL. These can be visually significant to varying degrees based on size and location of the droplets.

large silicone oil droplet adherent to the posterior surface of his IOL
The picture represents a patient who underwent cataract surgery with placement of a 3-piece silicone IOL about 3 years prior to presenting with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment requiring pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil placement and scleral buckle. He later presented with this large silicone oil droplet adherent to the posterior surface of his IOL. He went on to have an IOL exchange with silicone oil removal.