Combined vitrectomy, intraocular microsurgery and liquid silicone in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of combining vitrectomy, scleral buckling, intraocular microsurgery and liquid silicone injection for the treatment of retinal detachment complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy: 48 eyes were treated using these techniques combined. Complete attachment was achieved in 16 eyes (33%), partial attachment in 20 eyes (42%), and 12 eyes (25%) remained detached. Vision was improved in 17 eyes (35%), unchanged in 17 eyes (35%), and worse in 14 eyes (30%). Complications included emulsification of the silicone, glaucoma, cataract, band degeneration of the cornea, reproliferation of membranes and passage of silicone into the subretinal space. Significant preservation of mobility vision was achieved. A larger series of patients with longer follow-up will ultimately determine the place of this technique in the management of this complicated problem.