SILICONE ASSISTED, ARGON-LASER CONFINEMENT OF RECURRENT PROLIFERATIVEVITREORETINOPATHY RELATED RETINAL-DETACHMENT - A TECHNIQUE TO ALLOW SILICONE OIL REMOVAL IN PROBLEM EYES

Aims/background-Recurrent peripheral retinal detachments may occur in eyes treated with vitrectomy and silicone oil for retinal detachments complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). The aim of this study was to assess whether laser photocoagulation could be used in th e presence of silicone oil to confine and stabilise recurrent PVR rela ted peripheral retinal detachments enabling the timely removal of the oil. Methods-10 patients with recurrent peripheral retinal detachments after vitrectomy and silicone oil insertion were treated with posturi ng and subsequent focal argon laser to circumscribe the area of recurr ent detachment. Results-This technique alone was sufficient to limit t he area of retinal detachment in seven of the cases. The remaining thr ee cases required relieving retinotomies because of increasing retinal detachment despite the laser. In all 10 cases the silicone oil was la ter removed without progression of the detached areas. Conclusion-Sili cone assisted argon laser 'confinement' can be effective in stabilisin g eyes with peripheral retinal detachments allowing the subsequent rem oval of silicone oil.