V 182
Heavy silicone oil as internal tamponade for complicated retinal detachmentS. Wolf, V. Schön, P. Meier, P. Wiedemann
Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and the safety of a heavy silicone oil (Chauvin-Opsia, France) for internal retinal tamponade after vitrectomy for complicated retinal detachment. The relative density of the heavy silicone oil is 1.04 and the viscosity is 3000 cSt. Heavy silicone oil is designed to tamponade the inferior retina in complicated retinal detachment.
Methods: Patients with complicated retinal detachment involving the inferior part of the retina requiring internal tamponade with silicone oil were recruited for this prospective study. Inclusion criteria were retinal detachment secondary to PVR (stage ³ C2), inferior or posterior tears, or penetrating trauma. The heavy silicone oil was injected at the end of surgery by exchange with perfluorcarbon after treatment of retinal membranes and/or retinopexy. Follow-up examinations are scheduled at 1, 3, 6 months, and 1 year after initial surgery.
Results: Currently, 12 patients were included in this prospective study. In all eyes the heavy silicone oil was well tolerated. At the end of the operation the retina was reattached in all 12 eyes. At the 1 and 3 months follow-up no recurrent retinal detachment was noted. In the post-operative period one aphakic patient had increased IOP ( > 30 mm Hg) due to overfilling requiring removal of heavy silicone oil from the anterior chamber.
Conclusion: The first results of this prospective study show the good intraocular tolerance of heavy silicone oil as tamponade in complicated retinal detachment. Its specific gravity slightly greater than 1 allows for sufficient tamponade of inferior retinal tears for extended periods without significant side effects. Our preliminary results are very promising regarding the efficacy of the heavy silicone oil.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Augenheilkunde, Liebigstraße 10-14, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany