Emulsification of silicone oil (SiO) tamponade with high-molecular-weight (HMW) additive under simulated saccadic eye movements in vitro using an “Eye-on-a-Chip”

Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), or silicone oil, is a liquid polymer used to treat retinal detachments. When left in the eye for weeks, these oils are susceptible to form droplets presumably because of eye movements. These tiny oil drops can obstruct outflow of fluid from the eye and thus raise the pressure. The droplets induce inflammation which in turn promotes scar tissue formation and re-detachment of the retina. In recent years, by adding PDMS polymer with longer chains, the altered physical properties are proposed to enhance the resistance of the oils against droplet breakup. This study utilizes a previously described platform to test 2 new silicone oils. This platform is designed to mimic the eye in a physiologically representative fashion. The results support the claim of enhanced resistance against emulsification. More importantly, the platform can be used to rapidly screen new silicone oils under development and replace, reduce and refine animal experiments in the future.