SILICONE RETINOPIESIS FOR RETINAL DETACHMENT - A LONG-TERM CLINICAL EVALUTION

Thirty-three cases of complicated retinal detachment were treated by intravitreal silicone injection usually as an adjunct to scleral bucking and light coagulation. Nine eyes were reattached in the posterior pole after 6 mo; 5 were reattached after 3 yrs. Only 2 patients maintained their 6 mo acuity for the 3 yrs. The other 7 eyes terminated in blindness, light perception, or count fingers acuity. This visual deterioration was due to recurrent detachment, cataract formation with unfavorable sequelae after extraction, or continued vitreal and preretinal organization. Evaluation of surgical therapy in such complicated detachments requires a follow-up longer than 6 mo.; on this basis and in such cases, silicone retinopiesis is of limited value.