Visual loss following removal of intraocular silicone oil

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 89; no. 7; pp. 799 - 802
• Main Authors: Cazabon, S, Groenewald, C, Pearce, I A, Wong, D
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.07.2005; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; Copyright 2005 British Journal of Ophthalmology
• Subjects: Adult; Biological and medical sciences; Cataracts; Clinical Science - Scientific Reports; Diabetic retinopathy; Electroretinography - methods; FFA; Fluorescein Angiography - methods; fundus fluorescein angiogram; Humans; intraocular lens; intraocular silicone oil; IOL; Macula Lutea - physiopathology; Macular degeneration; Male; Medical sciences; mfERG; Middle Aged; multifocal electroretinogram; Myopia - etiology; Myopia - physiopathology; OCT; Ophthalmology; optical coherence tomography; Patients; pattern electroretinogram; PERG; Potassium; Retinal Detachment - surgery; Silicone Oils; Surgery; Tomography, Optical Coherence - methods; VEP; Vision disorders; Vision Disorders - etiology; Vision Disorders - physiopathology; Visual Acuity - physiology; visual evoked potential; visual loss; Vitrectomy - methods; Eye disease; Treatment; Exeresis; Intraocular; Visual impairment; Surgery; Vision disorder; Blindness; Silicone oil; Ophthalmology
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2004.053561

Aim: To investigate the cause of visual loss following removal of intraocular silicone oil in patients who underwent vitrectomies for retinal detachment or giant retinal tear. Methods: The clinical records of three cases with visual loss following removal of silicone oil were reviewed. Investigations carried out included fundus fluorescein angiogram, optical coherence tomography, and electrophysiological studies. Results: Visual acuities dropped from 6/9 to 6/36 in two cases and 6/24 to 3/24 in the third. None of the three cases had macula detachment at any stage. Fundus fluorescein angiogram and optical coherence tomography were normal in all cases. Pattern electroretinogram showed reduced amplitudes of the P50 and N95 components. Multifocal electroretinogram indicated a selective damage to the central part of the macula. Conclusions: The results suggest that the abnormality arises predominantly in the central part of the macula, especially the outer and middle layers. However, the exact mechanism still remains obscure.