Removal of Heavy Silicone Oil

Removal of heavy silicone oil takes about 3 minutes, due to its low viscosity of a little more than 1000 cSt. The cannula is a peripheral infusion trimmed to the appropriate length. The tip should reach to about the center of the vitreous cavity, may even less. Smaller bubbles of heavy oil can be aspirated from the posterior pole by a flute needle. Inspection of the retinal periphery with indentation is recommended, because bubbles may be entangled and retained in the vitreous base.