RESUMEN
PURPOSE: This is a retrospective consecutive study to assess the long-term results of combined scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil for the management of perforating ocular injury caused by gunshots. METHODS: Data were gathered from medical records of patients who underwent scleral buckling and PPV with silicone oil 2 weeks after primary repair elsewhere, in Magrabi eye center (Tanta, Egypt), from June 2005 to May 2010. RESULTS: The evaluated group consisted of 49 cases, out of which 26 cases presented with gunshot injury. Twenty-two were male (84.62%) and four were female (15.38%), with a mean age of 27.19+12.7 years. The follow-up ranged from 12 to 72 months, with a mean period of 32.04+8.9 months. The t-test was used to determine the visual outcome and main prognostic factors. Visual acuity improved in 22 of 26 eyes (76.92%), was unchanged in 4 eyes (15.38%), and worsened in 2 eyes (6.69%). Ten eyes (38.46%) achieved visual acuity between (20/40) and (20/100), and eight eyes (30.76%) had visual acuity between (20/200) and (20/400). The 18 eyes (69.23%) with visual acuity better than counting fingers (CF) had an attached retina with no signs of active proliferation after removal of the silicone oil. CONCLUSION: POI due to gunshot is usually a terminal event for the eye. Eyes with perforating injury can be saved and may attain useful vision after performance of combined scleral buckling and PPV with silicone oil tamponade. The final visual outcome depends on the macular or the optic nerve involvement and the final retinal stability, and phthisis bulbi can also be prevented.