CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF PATIENTS INDICATED FOR SILICONE OIL REMOVAL SURGERY
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Abstract
Background: Silicone oil is an effective intraocular tamponade widely used in complex vitreoretinal surgery. However, prolonged silicone oil retention increases the risk of complications, particularly cataract formation (up to 90 – 100% of cases) and medically uncontrolled glaucoma. Consequently, many patients require silicone oil removal after a certain period. Evaluation of clinical characteristics such as oil emulsification, primary retinal pathology, visual acuity, and intraocular pressure (IOP) is essential for surgical planning and prognostic assessment.
Methods: A prospective descriptive observational study was conducted on patients indicated for silicone oil removal between March 2025 and October 2025 at the Vitreo-retinal Department, Ho Chi Minh City Eye Hospital.
Results: The study included 48 eyes of 48 patients, with a mean age of 50,38 years and a male-to-female ratio of approximately 2 : 1. Preoperative mean logMAR visual acuity and IOP were 1,48 ± 0,45 and 22,73 ± 10,04 mmHg, respectively. Most patients had no associated ocular comorbidities (72,92%). Primary rhegmatogenous retinal detachment was the most common initial indication for vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade (64,58%). Silicone oil emulsification was observed in 50% of eyes, with anterior chamber emulsification in 29,16%. Regarding lens status, 45,8% of eyes were phakic and 41,7% had an in-the-bag intraocular lens. Indications for silicone oil removal included oil emulsification, elevated IOP, or both in 58,33% of eyes, with a mean silicone oil retention time of 8,95 months. All cases underwent fluid–air exchange during surgery. Postoperatively, visual acuity and IOP improved significantly, reaching 1,04 ± 0,34 logMAR and 14,8 ± 4,5 mmHg, respectively (p < 0,001).
Conclusion: Silicone oil removal significantly improves visual acuity and effectively controls IOP in patients with long-term silicone oil tamponade. Comprehensive preoperative clinical assessment plays a crucial role in surgical indication, prognostication, and optimization of treatment outcomes.
Keywords
Silicone oil removal surgery, intraocular pressure elevation, cataract, silicone oil emulsification
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References
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