Silicone oil implantation in penetrating injuries complicated by PVR. Results from 1982 to 1986.

Between 1982 and 1986, the authors implanted silicone oil in 34 eyes with retinal detachment and proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) stages C-3 to D-3 caused by penetrating injuries. The retina had failed to reattach after initial vitrectomy, membrane peeling, and scleral buckling. Complete anatomic reattachment was achieved in 62%, partial reattachment in an additional 9%. Useful functional results were achieved in 68% of cases (visual acuity of 1/60 to 20/20). Postoperative complications included elevated intraocular pressure in 38% and progress of PVR with membrane formation under the silicone oil in 21% of the cases. Sixty-eight percent of the aphakic eyes developed band-shaped keratopathy. Because most of the eyes were aphakic, the authors do not report cataract incidence. In 15 eyes (44%) the silicone oil was removed. In 14 of these eyes the retina remains attached, in one eye silicone oil removal was followed by phthisis bulbi.