Silicone oil in vitreoretinal surgery.

Silicone oil has been in use as a vitreoretinal surgical adjunct for more than 30 years. The literature from late 1993 through 1994 is dominated by reports from the Silicone Study, which addresses outcome differences after primary versus repeat vitrectomy, combined retinotomy and retinectomy, and silicone oil removal, as well as the problem of postoperative intraocular pressure abnormalities. Contemporary retrospective series reporting on the use of silicone oil for pediatric, cytomegalovirus retinitis-related, and diabetic retinal detachments are also reviewed.