Treatment of recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil tamponaded eyes with secondary silicone oil injection

Objective To analyse the causes of recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil tamponaded eyes and summarize the effects of secondary silicone oil injection on the recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil tamponaded eyes.Methods The 150 cases of recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil tamponaded eyes were analysed retrospectively,among whom,40 cases (40 eyes) underwent silicone oil removal and secondary silicone oil exchange simultaneously.The causes of this kind of retinal detachment and the effects of once more silicone oil injection for parts of them were recorded.Results Because of floatation force property of silicone oil,the recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil tamponaded eyes were found inferiorly in most of the cases.The main causes included inadequate seal or reopening of the primary retinal breaks,formation of new retinal breaks and proliferative vitreoretinopathy.The 40 eyes were followed up for 1 to 14 months (8 months on average),34 eyes (85%) achieved anatomical retinal reattachment.Of the 40 eyes,12 eyes underwent silicone oil removal surgery again and retina remained attached in 9 eyes (75%).Conclusion The causes of retinal detachment in silicone oil tamponaded eyes are various.In most complicated cases,it may be necessary to reintroduce the silicone oil.