Spontaneous relieving retinotomies in diabetic silicone filled eyes

We describe in six patients the delayed occurrence of inferior tractional retinal detachments following epiretinal reproliferation 4 to 5 months after vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade for diabetic related retinal detachments. The epiretinal traction was spontaneously relieved by the occurrence of large inferior tension breaks which subsequently enlarged and coalesced to form retinotomies. This process appears to be relatively benign as it remains limited to the peripheral retina, and in all six patients the posterior retina has remained attached for a minimum of 12 months follow up, with improved central visual acuity.