ABSTRACT
Nonemulsified silicone oil occurs in the anterior chamber more often in aphakic eyes, and rarely in eyes without compromised zonular or capsular support. Emusified silicone oil in the anterior chamber appears on biomicroscopy as multiple bubbles in the superior quadrant. Intraocular silicone oil is intended for use only in the vitreous cavity, but it can migrate into the anterior chamber in emulsified or, less frequently, nonemulsified states. Intraocular silicone oil can produce glaucoma through a variety of mechanisms: pupillary block, synechial angle closure, inflammation, neovascular glaucoma, and migration of oil into the anterior chamber. In the prevention of silicone oil migration to the anterior chamber in the early postoperative period, normalization of intraocular pressure (IOP) and the prevention of hypotony are important. Even in the absence of visualization of oil in the angle, oil-related secondary open-angle glaucoma should be considered in chronic elevations of IOP.
