Early versus late silicone oil tamponade removal after rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: a retrospective real world comparative study.

BACKGROUND

To evaluate postoperative outcomes, including redetachment rates, in eyes with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) following early or late removal of silicone oil (ROSO).

METHODS

This retrospective single-center study included 58 pseudophakic eyes that underwent 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with silicone oil endotamponade (SOE). Patients were divided into two groups: Group I (ROSO ≤ 12 weeks) and Group II (ROSO > 12 weeks) with SOE duration of 2.3 +/- 0.7 months and 5.2 +/- 1.9 months, respectively. Clinical outcomes, including redetachment rates, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), cystoid macular edema (CME), epiretinal membrane (ERM) formation, and intraocular pressure (IOP) changes, were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier estimation and Log-Rank tests were used to assess redetachment.

RESULTS

Redetachment occurred in a total of 13 eyes (22% of patients) (Group I: 7 (21%), Group II: 6 (23%); p = 1.00). The cumulative incidence of redetachment was comparable between groups (Log-Rank test: p = 0.88). Final BCVA at the last follow-up showed no significant difference between Group I (0.8 ± 0.5 logMAR) and Group II (0.8 ± 0.7 logMAR; p = 0.36). Postoperative incidences of CME (Group I: 13 (41%), Group II: 9 (35%) p = 0.78), ERM (Group I: 13 (41%), Group II: 7 (27%) p = 0.40), and elevated IOP (Group I: 7 (22%), Group II: 7 (27%) p = 0.76) were also comparable between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Early ROSO (≤ 3 months) does not appear to increase the risk of retinal redetachment or adversely affect visual and anatomical outcomes. These findings support the feasibility of earlier ROSO in selected cases, potentially reducing the risk of silicone oil-related complications.