23-gauge vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade with and without phacoemulsification in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

The aim of this study is to assess clinical outcomes of 23-gauge vitrectomy and silicone oil (SO) tamponade combined with and without phacoemulsification (PE) in rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD). The study included forty eyes of 40 patients that underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy and SO tamponade combined with and without PE. Twenty eyes of 20 cases, of whom underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy and SO tamponade combined with PE were allocated to the group 1. Likewise, 20 eyes of 20 cases that underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy and SO tamponade alone were allocated to the group 2. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) between two groups was compared. There was no significant difference in BCVA between the two groups during the 6 months (P = 0.3). Recurrent retinal detachments were observed in 2 cases (10%) in both groups. There was no statistically significant difference between two groups as a point of recurrent retinal detachments (P = 1). We have found higher rates of post-vitrectomy cataract progression (45%) in the eyes with RRD who underwent 23-gauge vitrectomy and SO tamponade. Combined vitrectomy and PE is safe and effective for the patients with RRD.