Primary vitrectomy with short-term silicone oil tamponade for uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

Purpose: To compare the outcomes of phakic and pseudophakic uncomplicated rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) treated with primary pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) and short-term silicone oil (SO) tamponade.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 201 eyes (185 patients) with uncomplicated RRD treated with primary 23-gauge PPV and short-term SO tamponade. Anatomical success was defined as a reattached retina for at least 6 months after SO removal.

Results: The analysis consisted of 111 phakic eyes and 90 pseudophakic eyes. The mean duration of SO tamponade in phakic eyes was 8.5 ± 1.9 and in pseudophakic eyes was 8.3 ± 1.9 weeks [corrected] (P = 0.39). The primary reattachment rate was 93% in the phakic group and 98% in the pseudophakic group (P = 0.19). The mean Snellen VA equivalent at the final visit was 20/30 in both groups. Final VA ≥ 20/40 was achieved in 81% of phakic and 86% of pseudophakic eyes (P = 0.69). Postoperative complications included cataract in the phakic group (100%), transient elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP) (29%), epiretinal membrane (8%), proliferative vitreoretinopathy (7%), cystoid macular edema (3%), secondary macular hole (2%), persistent elevation of IOP (1.5%), and persistent hypotony (1%).

Conclusions: The success rates and functional outcomes of primary 23-gauge PPV with short-term SO tamponade did not differ significantly between the two groups, suggesting that lens status is not the single most important factor influencing the final results. The use of short-term SO was not associated with keratopathy, visual loss without any apparent reason and high rates of chronic elevation of IOP or redetachment following SO removal.