Retinal detachment after silicone oil removal is prevented by 360 degrees laser treatment

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 92; no. 11; p. 1479
• Main Authors: Avitabile, T, Longo, A, Lentini, G, Reibaldi, A
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 01.11.2008
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Drainage - methods; Female; Humans; Laser Coagulation - adverse effects; Laser Coagulation - methods; Male; Middle Aged; Prospective Studies; Retinal Detachment - etiology; Retinal Detachment - prevention & control; Retinal Detachment - surgery; Retinal Perforations - prevention & control; Retinal Perforations - surgery; Silicone Oils - adverse effects; Silicone Oils - therapeutic use; Treatment Outcome; Visual Acuity - physiology; Vitrectomy - adverse effects; Vitrectomy - methods
• ISSN: 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.2008.140087

To investigate the effect of 360 degrees laser retinopexy on the incidence of retinal detachment (RD) after silicone oil removal. In a prospective, randomised clinical trial, 303 patients (303 eyes) affected with primary (n = 211) or recurring (n = 92) rhegmatogenous RD treated by vitrectomy with silicone oil (1000 cSt) and endolaser photocoagulation of retinal breaks were randomised to receive 360 degrees laser retinopexy or not. After at least 4 months, in eyes with a fully attached retina, the silicone oil was removed. The incidence of RD after silicone oil removal was evaluated. 151 eyes received 360 degrees laser retinopexy (completed intraoperatively in 93 eyes and postoperatively in 58 eyes, in nine of them after cataract extraction); 152 eyes served as controls. Silicone oil was removed from 139 laser-treated eyes (92.05%) and 129 controls (84.87%; NS). In the first group, 12 eyes (8.63%) developed an RD posterior to laser treatment (including the macula), three eyes (2.16%) had a localised posterior RD (treated by laser), and 14 (10.07%) had an RD anterior to the laser treatment. In the control group, RD occurred in 27 eyes (20.93%; p = 0.007). 360 degrees laser retinopexy reduces the incidence of RD after silicone oil removal; it should be completed intraoperatively.