Silicone in ophthalmic plastic and reconstructive surgery: a review and laboratory trial.

Silicone is a material with wide application as an exogenous implant in ophthalmic surgery. Animal trials have indicated that extreme care must be taken in the use of this material in the presence of a viable eye. Acute corneal injury was seen in 10 of 14 rabbit eyes tested with a topical application of RTV silicone in the conjunctival cul-de-sac. Two of the 10 eyes demonstrated delayed healing of the corneal injury. Pretreatment with a viscous ocular lubricant, limited corneal contact time of the hardened forms, thorough and frequent corneal evaluation and prompt appropriate treatment of abnormalities are recommended for the successful use of silicone as an orbital molding material in the presence of the viable globe. For use as an orbital expander or as a stent after soft tissue socket reconstruction, despite its relative softness compared to acrylic orbital conformer, similar precautions must be observed to prevent mechanical corneal injuries.