Entrapped Preretinal Oil Bubble: Report of Two Cases

BACKGROUND: Retained preretinal bubbles were found over the posterior retina after silicone oil removal in patients who had received complicated vitreoretinal surgery. CASE: We report on two patients who underwent vitreoretinal surgery with silicone oil infusion for giant retinal tears; perfluorocarbon liquid was used during the surgery. Posteriorly located preretinal oil was noted after silicone oil removal in both patients. OBSERVATIONS: In both cases, oil bubbles formed, which were transparent and located in unusual places for a long period of time. No alteration of refractive status or harmful effect seemed to be associated with these retained oil bubbles. CONCLUSIONS: This strange phenomenon of fixed preretinal oil bubbles may occur after vitreoretinal surgery. It did not seem to be harmful to the retina during the follow-up periods. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2006; 50:277-279 (c) Japanese Ophthalmological Society 2006