Removal of silicone oil with vision improvement after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment following CMV retinitis in patients with AIDS.

PURPOSE: To report that silicone oil may be safely removed from immuno-recovered patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) after instillation for cytomegalovirus (CMV)-related rhegmatogenous retinal detachment.

METHOD: We report two patients with CMV-related retinal detachment who had previously been treated with vitrectomy and silicone oil.

RESULTS

Six months after removal of silicone oil, the retina remained attached in both patients. Without specific anti-CMV therapy, there was no relapse of CMV retinitis while patients were undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy. Best-corrected visual acuity improved in both patients.

CONCLUSION

It appears to be possible to remove silicone oil safely from patients with AIDS who show immune recovery, thus avoiding side effects of long-standing silicone oil and increasing quality of life. After silicone oil removal, visual acuity was improved.