Preparation and processing of vitreoretinal instrumentation and equipment as a risk factor for silicone oil emulsification.

Abstract

To investigate possible sources for the induction of silicone oil emulsification in patients' eyes. The contaminants on a ready-to-use standard set of vitreoretinal instruments cleaned and sterilized in an eye clinic were determined. The determination of detergents was carried out according to a standardized procedure, which uses ultrapurified water to rinse the equipment in question, followed by a measurement of the conductivity. Silicone oil remnants were determined using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Ionic components of detergents and remnants of silicone oil could be detected on instrumentation deemed sterile, clean, and ready-to-use. During routine cleaning and sterilization of vitreoretinal instruments and accessories, remnants of silicone oil and detergents can persist and trigger emulsification of silicone oil, which came into contact with these contaminated devices during instillation of the endotamponade.