RETINOTOMIES OF 180-DEGREES OR MORE

Purpose: To investigate the anatomic and functional results of large r etinotomies. Methods: The charts of 33 consecutive patients who underw ent peripheral retinotomy of 180 degrees or more and silicone oil inje ction during vitrectomy for retinal detachment with proliferative vitr eoretinopathy were reviewed. Silicone oil was removed from 26 eyes (79 %), but 2 hypotonic eyes (6%) required reinjection of silicone. Result s: After a minimum follow-up of 6 months, the retina was completely at tached in 28 eyes (85%). Twenty-eight eyes (85%) achieved a final visu al acuity of 5/200 or better, and seventeen eyes (51%) achieved visual acuity of 20/200 or better. Intraocular pressure did not change signi ficantly from the initial to the final examination. At the last follow -up, hypotony (intraocular pressure less than or equal to 5 mmHg) was seen in 1 of the 28 eyes with reattached retina (3.6%). A new macular epiretinal membrane, related to the duration of silicone oil tamponade , developed and was peeled off in 12 eyes (36%) in an additional proce dure. No association could be found between the anatomic or functional results and the extent of the retinotomy. Presented herein is the lar gest series of retinotomies of 180 degrees or more followed up after s ilicone oil removal. Conclusion: Large retinotomy (greater than or equ al to 180 degrees) in selected cases of vitreoretinal surgery seems to be an effective procedure.