Keratopathy following pars plana vitrectomy with silicone oil filling

Out of 196 aphakic and 4 phakic eyes with silicone oil in the anterior chamber (all vitrectomized, postoperative follow-up 6 months to 5 years) we found 83 eyes (42%) with keratopathy. They present clinically and histologically as calcific band keratopathy (55 eyes) or diffuse bullous corneal edema (28 eyes). Time of onset, course and frequency in correlation to preoperative diagnosis are analyzed. Pathogenesis, prevention and therapy of keratopathy are discussed.

[Problems in pneumatic retinopexy]

Fifty-four phakic eyes with selected rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (one retinal tear or a circumscribed group of tears in the upper two-thirds of the fundus, no sign of PVR) were treated by pneumatic retinopexy (transconjunctival cryopexy, intraocular gas injection with appropriate postoperative head positioning). After postoperative follow-up of six months or more primary reattachment of the retina was found in 27 patients (50%). In 12 eyes (22%) there was insufficient relief of traction, so that the detachment persisted (seven eyes) or recurred (five eyes). New retinal tears developed in 12 eyes (22%) between three days and six months postoperatively. This was probably due to interaction of the gas bubble with the vitreous base, an incompletely detached posterior vitreous border, or intravitreal condensations. Three eyes (6%) developed PVR. Other complications were vitreous hemorrhage (one eye) and subretinal gas bubble (one eye). The higher rate of complications, including the development of new tears, as compared to episcleral buckling procedures is discussed. In the authors's view appropriate experience on the part of the retinal surgeon and a level of intraoperative asepsis adequate for intraocular procedures are of major importance.

Pars plana vitrectomy and silicone oil injection in proliferative diabetic retinopathy

A retrospective study is reported on 106 eyes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, treated by vitrectomy and silicone oil injection. Indications were traction detachment in 91 eyes and nonclearing rebleeding in 15 eyes; 31 eyes had previously had vitrectomy. Anatomical success was obtained at the end surgery in 91 eyes, and after a minimum follow-up of 6 months in 68 eyes (64%). Functional results were as follows: satisfactory visual acuity (0.5-0.05) in 23 eyes (22%), ambulatory vision (0.03-CF) in 14 eyes (13%), HM-LP in 54 eyes (51%), and NLP in 15 eyes (14%). The functional results are limited by recurrent detachments due to characteristic reproliferations under the silicone bubble or by ischemic diabetic angiopathy in the attached retina. A positive effect of silicone oil is demonstrated in the reduction of preexisting or postoperatively new iris neovascularization and in preventing postoperative rebleeding.

[Early vitrectomy with primary silicone oil injection in very severely injured eyes]

Performing early vitrectomy with primary silicone oil filling in 11 severely injured eyes (large or multiple intraocular foreign bodies, double perforations, ruptures - all with vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment), the authors succeeded in treating the posterior segment trauma with adequate hemostasis in ten cases. During postoperative follow-up of between 12 and 39 months there were no recurrences of hemorrhage. Primary retinal reattachment was achieved in seven eyes. A traction detachment due to proliferative vitreoretinopathy developed in three eyes at a relatively late stage (6-19 months postoperatively): reoperation was successful in two cases. With regard to functional results, six eyes had a visual acuity of between 1/25 and 0.6, and in four it was in the range between perception of light projection and hand movements. There were three cases with keratopathy encouraged by aniridia or hypotonia. One eye with emulsification of the silicone oil developed a secondary glaucoma which responded to topical treatment. In three cases the silicone oil was removed without complications. In one eye there was an expulsive choroidal hemorrhage which could not be managed intraoperatively and which led to phthisis and amaurosis postoperatively.

[Perforating eye injuries with multiple intraocular foreign bodies following military maneuver accidents]

Nine patients sustained massive ocular injuries mostly bilateral, caused by practice ammunition fragments during military maneuvers. The injuries consisted of severe contusion and perforation damage to the cornea, traumatic cataract, vitreous hemorrhage, and multiple small intraocular foreign bodies frequently impacting on or penetrating the retina. Extraction of the foreign bodies was difficult, usually because they could not be localized preoperatively, because of optical problems due to corneal opacifications and frequent hemorrhages, and because of a lack of posterior vitreous detachment. Nevertheless, in the 15 eyes which underwent secondary surgery travel vision (1/35 to 0.2) was achieved in three and good visual acuity (0.3 to 1.0) in eight. Only four eyes ended up with practical blindness (LP to hand movements) due to retinal traction detachments with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.