MANAGEMENT OF VIRAL RETINITIS-ASSOCIATED RETINAL-DETACHMENT IN AIDS

We retrospectively reviewed the results of surgery in 27 cases of reti nal detachment related to viral necrotising retinitis in acquired immu ne deficiency syndrome (AIDS). Vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade w ere performed in all cases. Scleral buckling was applied to 9 eyes. Si licone oil was left in the eye in all cases. Mean follow-up period was 13 weeks. Post-operative flattening of the retina at the posterior po le was achieved in 89% of the eyes, Anatomical results were not relate d to the intraoperative use of an encircling procedure. Visual acuity improved by 2 Snellen lines or more in 40% of cases and 67% of the eye s retained a postoperative ambulatory vision, Phacosclerosis and optic atrophy developed in 29% and 22% of cases, respectively. Vitrectomy a nd silicone oil tamponade without scleral buckling are effective in th e management of retinitis-associated retinal detachments. This procedu re is short and can be performed under local anaesthesia.