Ocular therapy with silicone oils.

It has been 30 years since the first reported use of intraocular liquid silicones for retinal reattachment. During this time, there have been many notable advances in surgical techniques and instrumentation together with an improved understanding of the pathogenic mechanisms of complex retinal detachment associated with proliferative vitreoretinopathy. More recent attention has also been focused on improving the quality of the previously used commercial silicone oils. Enhanced surgical results combined with refined high-viscosity oils have led to a dramatic decrease in complications previously associated with and ascribed to the use of liquid silicone. This article reviews the literature regarding ocular use of silicone oils as an instrument and as a tamponade.