The impact of axial length on retinal tamponade for gas, silicone oil, and heavy silicone oil, using an in vitro model

BACKGROUND: To investigate whether ocular axial length influences the tamponade efficacy of three commonly used agents: gas, silicone oil, and heavy silicone oil. METHODS: A series of filling experiments was conducted using 19-mm and 25-mm surface-modified spherical model eye chambers to mimic the vitreous cavity. For each agent, tamponade efficacy was assessed across a range of percentage fills, and comparison was made between the two model eye chambers. The behavior of each tamponade agent was quantified by measuring (1) the maximum height of the tamponade bubble, and calculating (2) the arc of retinal contact subtended by the tamponade bubble. RESULTS: Polynomial regression analysis found no statistically significant difference between the regression models for the different-sized model eye chambers for bubble height or arc of retinal contact subtended. This applied to all of the tamponade agents under investigation. CONCLUSIONS: Across the range of cavity sizes under investigation, no significant difference in tamponade efficacy (as reflected by the measured dimensions of the tamponade bubble) was identified.