Silicone oil removal: Results, risks and complications

PURPOSE: We studied the results and complications of silicone oil removal applying basic criteria for the selection of eyes. METHODS: The criteria for oil removal: 1. Completely attached retina for at least 4 weeks, 2. Absence of tractions and active proliferations, 3. Preoperative vision > 0.01. The oil was removed from 90 of 261 oil filled eyes (removal rate: 34.5%). 83 eyes were included in the further study. FOLLOW-UP: 1.3-62.5 months (mean 15.7). RESULTS: Visual acuity improved (> or = 1 line) in 40 of the 83 eyes (48.2%), remained unchanged in 22 eyes (26.5%) and deteriorated (> or = 1 line) in 21 eyes (25.3%). COMPLICATIONS: reproliferations (42.2%), retinal detachment (20.5%), pressure rises (27.7%), lens opacification (36.7%), severe keratopathy (8.4%). CONCLUSION: Silicone oil removal has a distinct rate of complications, despite preoperative selection of eyes with a better prognosis. Reduction of reproliferations and weighing of risk and benefit could improve the results.