Patency of superior ciliary sulcus in aphakic silicone oil-filled eyes: an ultrasound biomicroscopy study

• Published in: Canadian journal of ophthalmology Vol. 45; no. 1; pp. 33 - 35
• Main Authors: Soliman, Mahmoud M., MD, Macky, Tamer A., MD, FRCSEd
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Inc 01.02.2010
• Subjects: Adult; Aphakia - diagnostic imaging; Aphakia - drug therapy; Aphakia - physiopathology; aphakic silicone oil-filled; Ciliary Body - diagnostic imaging; Ciliary Body - physiopathology; Female; Humans; inferior peripheral iridectomy; Internal Medicine; Male; Microscopy, Acoustic; Middle Aged; Ophthalmology; Prospective Studies; pupillary block; Silicone Oils - therapeutic use; superior ciliary sulcus; ultrasound biomicroscopy; aphakic silicone oil-filled; inferior peripheral iridectomy; pupillary block; superior ciliary sulcus; ultrasound biomicroscopy
• ISSN: 0008-4182; 1715-3360
• DOI: 10.3129/i09-221

Abstract Objective: To assess the patency of the superior ciliary sulcus in aphakic silicone oil-filled eyes by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). Design: Prospective interventional series. Participants: Twelve eyes of 12 patients were included in this study. Methods: Twelve aphakic silicone oil-filled eyes were evaluated using UBM. The UBM examination of the anterior segment was performed using the Humphrey Instruments UBM equipped with a high-frequency (50 MHz), high-resolution (50 mm) transducer. The patients were placed in a semisitting position in which their backs were inclined to a suitable angle (about 50°). They were also asked to look straight ahead, to bring the superior ciliary sulcus to the highest point of the globe. The probe approached the patients' eyes superiorly at a slight angle (about 10°). Images of the superior ciliary sulcus were captured and analyzed. Results: The UBM images demonstrated an intact curved aqueous-silicone oil interface that appeared at some distance from and not filling the ciliary sulcus. A patent superior ciliary sulcus was thus found in all patients, even in those with a widely opened ciliary sulcus. Conclusions: The superior ciliary sulcus maintained its patency in aphakic silicone oil-filled eyes. These findings indicate that an iridectomy in a superior position may also be effective, although this has not been tested clinically in this report.