Management of viral retinitis-associated retinal detachment in AIDS

We retrospectively reviewed the results of surgery in 27 cases of retinal detachment related to viral necrotising retinitis in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade were performed in all cases. Scleral buckling was applied to 9 eyes. Silicone oil was left in the eye in all cases. Mean follow-up period was 13 weeks. Post-operative flattening of the retina at the posterior pole was achieved in 89% of the eyes. Anatomical results were not related to the intraoperative use of an encircling procedure. Visual acuity improved by 2 Snellen lines or more in 40% of cases and 67% of the eyes retained a post-operative ambulatory vision. Phacosclerosis and optic atrophy developed in 29% and 22% of cases, respectively. Vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade without scleral buckling are effective in the management of retinitis-associated retinal detachments. This procedure is short and can be performed under local anaesthesia.