Open AccessComputational Fluid Dynamics of Intraocular Silicone Oil Tamponade
Author(s) -
Tommaso Rossi,
Giorgio Querzoli,
Maria Grazia Badas,
Federico Angius,
Serena Telani,
Guido Ripandelli
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
translational vision science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.508
H-Index - 21
ISSN - 2164-2591
DOI - 10.1167/tvst.10.8.22
Subject(s) - silicone oil , retinal , retina , tamponade , ophthalmology , contact lens , medicine , materials science , optics , composite material , physics
Purpose To investigate the behavior of silicone oil (SiO) at the steady equilibrium and during saccades and calculate SiO-retina contact, shear stress (SS), and shear rate (SR). Methods A 24 mm phakic eye mesh model underwent 50°/0.137s saccade. The vitreous chamber compartment was divided into superior and inferior 180° sectors: lens, pre-equator, postequator, and macula. SiO-retina contact was evaluated as a function of fill percentages between 80% and 90% for a standing patient, 45° upward gaze, and supine. SS and SR for 1000 mPa-s (SiO1000) and 5000 mPa-s (SiO5000) silicon oil were calculated. Results SiO fill between 80% to 90% allowed 55% to 78% retinal contact. The superior retina always kept better contact with SiO, regardless of the fill percentage ( P < 0.01). SiO interface thoroughly contacted the macula only in standing position. SS followed a bimodal behavior and was always significantly higher for SiO5000 compared to SiO1000 ( P < 0.01) throughout the saccade. The macula suffered the highest mean SS in standing position, while throughout the saccade the average SS was maximum at the SiO-aqueous interface. SR was significantly higher for SiO1000 compared to SiO5000 ( P < 0.001). Conclusions SS on the retinal surface may instantaneously exceed reported retinal adhesiveness values especially at the SiO-aqueous interface and possibly favor redetachment. Despite 90% SiO fill the inferior retina remains extremely difficult to tamponade. Translational Relevance Accurate assessment of retina-tamponade interaction may explain recurrent inferior retinal redetachment, silicone oil emulsification, and help to develop better vitreous substitutes.