Analysis and management of recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil-filled eyes

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics, surgical methods and outcome of recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil-filled eyes after vitreoretinal surgery. Design Retrospective, observational case series. Participants 55 patients (55 eyes) diagnosed as recurrent retinal detachment with silicone oil-filled eyes. Methods To analyze the clinical manifestations of recurrent retinal detachments and adopt different methods to make retina reattach including vitreoretinal surgery with or without silicone oil removal and scleral buckle revision alone. Patients were followed up for 3 months. Main Outcome Measures Clinical manifestations, retinal re-attachment and visual acuity. Results The characteristics of recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil-filled eyes were inferior location mainly, less than 2 quadrants, with proliferation and hole. Fifty of the 55 patients underwent repeat surgical repair. Surgical methods included re-vitreoretinal surgery in 39 eyes with silicone oil removal, re-vitreoretinal surgery in 9 eyes without silicone oil removal and scleral buckle revision alone in 2 eyes. After a follow-up of 3 months, retina re-attached in 41 eyes, partially attached in 7 eyes, and detached in 2 eyes. Conclusions Repair of recurrent retinal detachment in silicone oil filled eye is challenging. Favorable anatomic outcome may be achieved in selected patients with proper surgical measures according to the characteristics of recurrent retinal detachment.