Heavy Silicone Oil for Rhegmatogenous Retinal Detachment with Inferior Breaks: Long-term Evaluation

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate macular status with optical coherence tomography (OCT) in eyes that underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and heavy-silicone oil endotamponade for retinal detachment (RD) with inferior breaks.Methods: This study included 20 eyes of 20 patients with a history of retinal detachment surgery for inferior breaks. Oxane HD was used as an intraocular tamponade for all surgeries. Anatomic reattachment, macular status with OCT imaging and any complications in the long-term were evaluated. Results: Mean follow-up time was 19.5 ± 10.5 months (range, 10-59) after removing heavy-silicone oil or epiretinal membrane (ERM) surgery that was performed in some eyes after heavy-silicone oil removal. Primary reattachment was achieved in 90% of eyes and the success rate was 100% with further interventions. Postoperative complications included heavy-silicone oil emulsification, intraocular pressure elevation and epiretinal membrane formation. Conclusion: Eyes treated with PPV and heavy-silicone oil injection for RD with inferior break(s) have a good ellipsoid zone (EZ) continuity in the long-term. ERM formation and removal do not affect EZ.