ABSTRACT
The purpose of the study was to report and compare the complication rates associated with use of silicon oil after vitreo-retinal surgery. This was a prospective hospital based study spanning over a period from January 2004 to June 2005. A total of 69 patients with different vitreo-retinal diseases were operated by a single surgeon using standard three ports pars plana vitrectomy technique and 5000-centistoke silicon oil. Depending upon the intra-operative situation, additional procedures were performed including use of an encircling band, relaxing retinotomy and use of perfluorocarbon liquids. The major post-operative complications observed were, development of cataract in 46 [85.18%] out of 54 patients, early post-operative raised intra-ocular pressure [IOP>25 mmHg] in 28 [40.57%] patients, keratopathy [including corneal edema, corneal abrasions and band keratopathy] in 15 [21.73%] patients, emulsification of silicon oil in 5 [7.26%] patients, glaucoma in 5 [7.26%] patients on final follow-up and ocular hyopotony in 1 [1.44%] patients. Retinal re-attachment in 35 [72.92%] and retinal re-detachment in 13 [27.08%] patients. Visual out-come was, improved visual acuity in 45 [65.23%] patients, preserved [un-changed] in 10 [14.49%] patients and was reduced in 14 [20.28%] patients. The use of silicon oil in vitreo-retinal surgery offers definite advantages however, its complications particularly cataract, glaucoma and kertopathy lead to worries about its use for prolonged retinal temponade