Intravitreous silicone injection. Histopathologic findings in a human eye after 12 years.

Histopathologic changes occurred in a human eyeball enucleated 12 years after intravitreous silicone injection for the treatment of complicated retinal detachment with massive preretinal membrane. Silicone "bubbles" (droplets) were found in the chamber angle, iris, ciliary body, retina, and preretinal and subretinal membrane, as well as in the optic nerve. Clinically, glaucoma developed in the eye. A review of the literature indicates that the common late complications of intravitreous silicone injection are cataract, glaucoma, and retinal changes.