Results of Silicone Oil Endotamponade and Analysis of Its Prognostic Factors

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: Combined with vitreoretinal surgery, silicone oil endotamponade has become a standard technique and improved the prognosis of complex retinal diseases. To improve success rate of silicone oil endotamponade, the authors analysed complications and associated with other variables. METHODS: The authors analysed 90 cases of silicone oil endotamponade (102 eyes), all operated by one surgeon from 1995 to 2000 and followed-up over 6 months. The series consisted of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (48 eyes), complex retinal detachment (33 eyes), proliferative vitreoretinpathy (11 eyes) and ocular trauma (10 eyes). Analysed variables were preoperative visual acuity, rubeosis iridis, nuber of operations, duration of tamponade, emulsification of silicone oil, lentile status, anterior proliferative vitreoretinpathy, keratopathy, change of ocular tension, redetachment, macular degeneration and electroretinogram. RESULTS: Anatomic success was achieved in 95 of 102 eyes (93.1%) and functional success was achieved in 66 eyes (64.7%). Change of ocular tension over 10mmHg, anterior proliferative vitreoretinpathy and anatomical failure were statistically significant prognostic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Silicone oil endotamponade is an effective measure for complex retinal diseases, but its complication has always been an issue. If these complications can well be kept under the control, silicone oil endotamponade will become more widely used surgical modality.