Results of silicone oil removal in advanced proliferative vitreoretinopathy

We reviewed the results of silicone oil removal after vitreous surgery for recurrent retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy in 55 eyes. The minimum follow-up period was six months. Retinal detachment recurred in five eyes (9%). Evidence of recurrent epiretinal membrane formation at the time of or after silicone oil removal was noted in 21 eyes (38%). Penetrating keratoplasty combined with silicone oil removal was successful in five of six patients. Mild corneal changes noted in ten eyes (18%) remained the same or cleared in seven eyes after silicone oil removal. Overall, postoperative visual acuity improved in 24 eyes (44%), remained the same in 18 eyes (33%), and decreased in 13 (24%). In 22 eyes without clinical evidence of silicone-associated complications at the time of silicone oil removal, postoperative visual acuity remained unchanged or improved in 20 (91%).