ObjectiveTo observe the changes in physical properties of silicone oil after intraocular tamponade. MethodsThe silicone oil was removed from 99 patients (99 eyes) of primary retinal detachment with 23G vitreous cutter system. The upper silicone oil was collected after put the vitrectomy samples at room temperature for 3 days. According to the time of intraocular tamponade, the silicone oil samples were divide into six groups including group A (1 month, 12 samples), group B (2 months, 15 samples), group C (3 months, 25 samples), group D (6 months, 22 samples), group E (1-2 years, 13 samples) and group F (above 2 years, 12 sample). Fresh unused silicone oil was set as blank control group. Then the emulsion particles, kinematic viscosity, surface tension, density, transmittance and refractive index were measured. ResultsThe difference between group A-F and the control was statistical significant (P<0.05) in emulsion particles (F=89.337), kinematic viscosity (F=10.660), surface tension (F=11.810), density (F=13.497), transmittance of wavelengths (F=455.496, 566.105, 525.102, 767.573, 622.961, 601.539), but not statistical significant at refractive index (F=2.936, P>0.05). The number of silicone oil emulsion particles has no statistical difference between group A and the control (P>0.05), but was significantly different between group B-F (P<0.05). The kinematic viscosity of silicone oil has no statistical difference between group A, B and the control (P>0.05), but was significantly different between group C-F (P<0.05). The surface tension of silicone oil has no statistical difference between group A-D and the control (P>0.05), but is significantly different between group E and F (P<0.05). The density of silicone oil has no statistical difference between group A-D and the control (P>0.05), but was significantly different between group E and F (P<0.05). The transmittance of silicone oil has statistical difference between group A-F and the control(P<0.05). The refractive index of silicone oil has no statistical difference between all the groups and the controls significantly (P>0.05). ConclusionsThe physical properties of silicone oil will change during the intraocular tamponade. The emulsion particles number will increase and the transmittance will decrease after 2 months, the kinematic viscosity of silicone oil will decrease significantly after 3 months, and the density and surface tension will change significantly after 1 year of tamponade.