Silicone oil bubbles from intravitreal injections

Wide-field retinography (Clarus 700, Zeiss). Exudative AMD in cicatricial phase. Detail: Small silicone oil bubbles in the superior temporal arcade.

Optical coherence tomography (Cirrus-HD 5000, Zeiss): AMD in cicatricial phase. Small silicone bubbles producing a “hyperreflective shadow” posteriorly.

Dr. Pablo Gili Manzanaro
Dra. Carolina Álvarez Abreu

Description

The presence of silicone oil bubbles after intravitreal injections is increasingly common due to the widespread use of anti-VEGF factors in numerous ocular pathologies. The long-term functional repercussions of these bubbles are unknown.

Comments

This complication is associated with the use of silicone oil as a lubricant in some syringes used for intravitreal injections.

Indication

A 74-year-old man with exudative AMD treated with 9 intravitreal anti-VEGF injections. During a follow-up examination, we detected small, mobile silicone oil bubbles in the superior temporal arcade, which were asymptomatic.