Outcome After Silicone Oil Removal and Simultaneous 360° Endolaser Treatment

Purpose: To evaluate the outcome after silicone oil removal combined with a 360° endolaser treatment in complex retinal detachment (RD) cases and to assess prognostic factors.

Methods: This is a retrospective, consecutive interventional study in Vienna, Austria with data from 111 patients following silicone oil removal and simultaneous 360° endolaser treatment for at least 6 months. Stepwise regression analysis between anatomic and visual outcome, baseline demographics, and type and number of RD procedures was performed.

Results: One hundred and one patients (91%) showed a retinal reattachment after silicone oil removal, which was associated with a low overall number of RD procedures (p = 0.01) and male gender (p < 0.03). Sixty-five patients (59%) showed an improvement (two or more lines) of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the final follow-up visit. Improvement of BCVA and a better BCVA after silicone oil removal were associated with a better BCVA before silicone oil removal (p < 0.01) and a low overall number of RD procedures (p < 0.01).

Conclusion: The overall number of RD procedures can be used to predict the anatomic and visual outcome after silicone oil removal. Adding a simultaneous 360° endolaser therapy to silicone oil removal is associated with a high anatomic success rate and an excellent visual outcome.