Comparison of postoperative intraocular pressure in patients with Densiron-68 vs conventional silicone oil: a case-control study

A solution of perfluorohexyloctane and silicone oil with a specific gravity of 1.06 g/cm(3) (Densiron-68) has similar properties as conventional silicone oil ( SO) in terms of the shape of the bubble and its ability to act as an internal tamponade agent. We conducted a case-control study to compare the postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients treated with Densiron-68 with those treated with SO. Methods Seventy-one eyes of 71 patients and 57 eyes of 57 patients who had received Densiron-68 and SO, respectively, were included in our study. Both groups were found to have matched for their preoperative comorbidities ( diabetes, glaucoma, phakic status, and refractive errors). IOP at first day, between seventh and fourteenth day, and at 4 week postoperatively was recorded. Results The mean IOP was higher in patients treated with Densiron-68 at day 1 and between seventh and fourteenth day postoperatively (P = 0.05 and 0.01, respectively). By the 4th week, the IOP difference between the two groups was insignificant (P = 0.17). The difference in the two groups could still be clinically significant and the raised IOP in Densiron-68 group was more difficult to treat in some cases. On day 1, nine eyes (12.7%) in the Densiron-68 group and two eyes (3.5%) in the SO group had IOP greater than 30 mmHg. At 4 weeks, IOP of more than 30 mmHg was seen in nine eyes ( 12.7%) in the Densiron-68-treated group and in one eye (1.8%) in the SO group. Conclusion The use of Densiron-68 was associated with a higher IOP in the early postoperative period when compared with SO.