Emulsification tendency of silicone-phenylsilicone copolymer.

PURPOSE We compared the emulsification tendency of silicone-phenylsilicone copolymer (DPC; 5%-phenylated, specific gravity 0.984) with that of silicone oil (SO; specific gravity 0.966) and fluorosilicone oil (FSO; specific gravity 1.256), all of which are used clinically as intraocular tamponades. METHODS We investigated the tendencies of emulsification in SO, FSO, and DPC. Each was placed in a separate glass container with equal amounts of albumin solution (1 mg/mL) or 1 gamma-globulin solution (1 mg/mL) and shaken. We also investigated the toxicity of DPC in the rabbit eye. Following vitrectomy, we injected DPC into the vitreous cavity and assessed the retinal damage histologically. RESULTS The SO and DPC, because their specific gravities, are closer to water, tended to become less emulsified than did FSO. We found that DPC did not cause any severe histological damage in the rabbit retina. CONCLUSION Highly phenylated DPC is slightly heavier than water and may be used instead of FSO to treat inferior retinal detachment.