Effect of the Presence of Silicone Oil in the Anterior Chamber After Complicated Retinal Detachment Surgery on Corneal Morphology by In Vivo Confocal Microscopy

Abstract

Purpose

This study evaluated the corneal endothelium, stromal keratocytes, subbasal nerve number and density in patients with silicone oil transferred to the anterior camera after pseudophakic complicated retinal detachment surgery by in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (IVLSCM).

Methods

Sequential measurements were made by IVLSCM between 3–6 months after surgery in two groups of patients: a) with silicon oil migration (Group 1) and without silicone oil migration (Group 2).

Results

A total of 63 cases (Group 1: 32 and Group 2: 31) were examined. The mean ages of patients were 65 ± 12 and 61 ± 11 and M/F ratio was 18/14 and 17/14, respectively. Mean intraocular pressures were 16.60 ± 4.60 and 15.75 ± 5.70 mm Hg, respectively. Changes were detected by IVLSCM mostly on the superior part of the cornea. A significant decrease in endothelial cell density and the number was detected in group 1 (2072 ± 116.2 cells/mm² vs 2752 ± 512.3 cells/mm²; p < 0.001). Significant increases in posterior keratocyte density and stromal hyperreflective deposits were observed in group 1 (887 ± 45.8 cells/mm² vs 725 ± 65.8 cells/mm²; p < 0.001). A significant negative correlation was observed between the size of stromal deposits and endothelial cell density (r=–0.758; p < 0.001). The number and density of corneal subbasal nerves were significantly lower in group 1 (1.8 ± 0.8 and 4.8 ± 1.2 vs 420 ± 101 and 701 ± 112 µm/square; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

IVLSCM is a useful tool for the early detection of corneal abnormalities caused by silicone oil injection. This study verified silicone oil’s detrimental effect on the corneal endothelium and revealed stromal changes in the anterior chamber, which we believe can be also been associated with the presence of silicone oil.

Keywords:

• Anterior chamber
• confocal
• corneal
• IVLSCM
• silicone oil

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Daniela Giannetto (Mugla Sitki Kocman University) for her contribution to editing the manuscript. The authors also thank anonymous reviewers for their great contribution to improving the quality of the paper.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The Clinical Research Ethics Committee of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University Training and Research Hospital reviewed and approved the study protocol, which abided by the principles of the Helsinki Declaration (Decision date: 11 November 2020, No. 13/XIV). All participants gave their written informed consent for the AS-OCT measurements and clinical data analysis.

Authors’ contributions

All the authors listed participated in the manuscript and have read and approved the final submission. Specifically, MK & SS designed research; MK, SS, HCS performed research; MK, HCS & AK analyzed data; MK & SS wrote the paper; MK, SS, HCS, AK, MS & SK performed the final review of the paper. Note: MK: Murat Kasikci, SS: Sabahattin Sul; HCS: Huseyin Cem Simsek, AK: Aylin Karalezli, MS: Merve Simsek & SK: Safak Korkmaz

Consent to participate and consent for publication

All the coauthors have approved the manuscript for submission and publication in your journal, and I am the corresponding author.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.

Additional information

This study did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.