Silicone oils have been used for decades as intraocular tamponade agents in the surgical treatment of retinal detachment. Although they provide mechanical support for treatment, their long-term presence in the eye is associated with the risk of emulsification, i.e. the formation of microscopic oil droplets in the aqueous environment (aqueous humor) or, conversely, water droplets dispersed within the oil. This process may lead to serious complications, including secondary glaucoma. In this review, the authors from the Research Group of Microreactors systematically analyze which experimental methods can be used to study silicone oil emulsification in vitro and which factors influence this process. The study compares simple mechanical models, artificial eye chambers, and modern microfluidic systems of the eye-on-a-chip type, which aim to realistically simulate eye movements and the behavior of the oil–water interface.
The work shows that emulsification is not determined solely by oil viscosity, but is the result of a complex interaction between mechanical stress, interfacial properties, and the presence of proteins. Based on the available data, the authors formulate recommendations for the standardization of in vitro testing and point to the potential of new silicone oil formulations with high–molecular-weight additives and advanced testing platforms for the development of safer intraocular tamponades. The study systematically summarizes and compares experimental approaches to the study of silicone oil emulsification, contributes to a better understanding of its physical mechanisms, and at the same time provides a framework for the interpretation of experimental results in relation to in vivo conditions.
- Jaklová N., Kamenická B.*: In vitro silicone oil emulsification in retinal detachment treatment: Methods, designs, and future strategies. Acta Biomater. 2025, 210, 413-440. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actbio.2025.12.024