Primary vitrectomy with short-term silicone oil tamponade for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment

To compare the outcomes of phakic and pseudophakic uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and short-term silicone oil (SO) tamponade.

A retrospective chart review of 201 eyes (185 patients) with uncomplicated RRD treated with primary 23-gauge PPV and short-term SO tamponade. Anatomical success was defined as a reattached retina for at least 6 months after SO removal.

The analysis consisted of 111 phakic eyes and 90 pseudophakic eyes. The mean duration of SO tamponade in phakic eyes was 8.5 ± 1.9 and in pseudophakic eyes was 8.3 ± 1.9 weeks [corrected] (P = 0.39). The primary reattachment rate was 93% in the phakic group and 98% in the pseudophakic group (P = 0.19). The mean Snellen VA equivalent at the final visit was 20/30 in both groups. Final VA ≥ 20/40 was achieved in 81% of phakic and 86% of pseudophakic eyes (P = 0.69). Postoperative complications included cataract in the phakic group (100%), transient elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) (29%), epiretinal membrane (8%), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (7%), cystoid macular edema (3%), secondary macular hole (2%), persistent elevation of IOP (1.5%), and persistent hypotony (1%).

The success rates and functional outcomes of primary 23-gauge PPV with short-term SO tamponade did not differ significantly between the two groups, suggesting that lens status is not the single most important factor influencing the final results. The use of short-term SO was not associated with keratopathy, visual loss without any apparent reason and high rates of chronic elevation of IOP or redetachment following SO removal.