Radical vitrectomy and silicone-oil injection in the treatment of proliferative vitreoretinopathy following retinal detachment.

Eighteen consecutive patients with proliferative vitreoretinopathy following retinal detachment were treated with radical pars-plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection. At least 6 months follow-up demonstrated fully attached retinas in 12 patients, partly attached retinas in 3 patients and primary failure in 3 patients. The visual fields revealed serious defects in 50% of those patients with attached retinas. The expected complications such as cataract (100%), glaucoma, corneal decompensation and subretinal oil were seen as well, but the complication rate is expected to diminish with newer surgical techniques.