Heavy silicone oil as internal tamponade for retinal detachment: efficacy and tolerance

To evaluate the tolerance and efficacy of heavy silicone oil as internal tamponade for retinal detachment surgery. Sixty-six eyes requiring heavy silicone oil for retinal detachment, with at least 1 month follow-up, were retrospectively studied. Preoperative status, surgical technique, tolerance, and anatomical and functional results were analyzed from the patient's file. Indications for heavy silicone injection were inferior retinotomy or inferior retraction in 65% of cases. PVR grade C was present in at least 63% of cases. Retinotomy was performed in 45% of cases. An exchange procedure was performed versus DKline in 65% of cases. Mean follow-up was 7 +/- 4 months. At the end of follow-up, 59% of eyes had a completely reattached retina, 32% without internal tamponade. Another surgery was necessary in 54% of cases. During follow-up, mean intraocular pressure was normal, and there was a significant intraocular inflammation in three cases (4.5%). In seven cases of the 44 ablations of heavy silicone oil, an adherence of residual bubbles was present. Redetachment occurred after ablation for anatomical success in 41% of cases. BCVA was better than 0.05 (20/400) in 54% of cases at the end of follow-up. Heavy silicone was well tolerated and seems not to be pro-inflammatory in our study. It is a good alternative to standard silicone for inferior retinotomy and inferior breaks without PVR. It is not a treatment of inferior retraction, and is not a long-term internal tamponade. During the ablation of heavy silicone oil, adherence of residual bubbles is possible, in which case a coaxial light or an endoillumination could be needed during ablation.