A retrospective study on the Maltese population of the outcome of retinal detachment repair after the removal of silicone oil

Abstract

Background: Silicone oils of different viscosities are used in the treatment of retinal detachments of varying pathology. Method: Seventy-two cases of retinal detachments managed with silicone oil were reviewed in a retrospective chart analyses. Eighty nine patients were reviewed from which data on primary pathology, type of silicone oil, duration of oil “in situ” and complications (including emulsification, increased intraocular pressure (IOP), re-detachment, cataract and presence of CME) were compiled. Of this number, 72 patients with post- operative follow-up of two years or more and documentation of the above parameters were included. The data was carefully analysed in an effort to determine the primary factor or factors of the varying silicone oil substitutes utilized responsible for the successful or non-successful re- attachment of the retina. Results: Retinal re-detachment rate is greater when Silicone Oil (SO) is removed before 12 months. Complex vs non-complex retinal re- detachments in sub-group analysis indicates superiority of retention of SO for greater than 12 months. Emulsification is greater in low viscosity SO (1300cts). Conclusion: The complication rates witnessed in this retrospective study are comparable to the findings of published studies present in the ophthalmic literature on an international scale. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that it is the duration of the SO “in situ” as opposed to the viscosity or other SO attributes which ultimately influences the re-detachment rate.