Vitrectomy with silicone oil or long-acting gas in eyes with giant retinal tears: long-term follow-up of a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Purpose: To determine if either silicone oil or perfluoropropane (C3F8) gas is superior to the other in the treatment of giant retinal tears complicated by proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Methods: Forty-seven eyes with giant retinal tears were treated in a prospective randomized fashion. Twenty-two eyes were randomized to C3F8 gas and 25 eyes were randomized to silicone oil. Follow-up of 60 months is reported. Of the silicone oil-treated eyes, 9 had oil retained in the eye; oil was removed from the remaining 16 eyes. Successful anatomic attachment of the retina, final visual acuity, and surgical complications were the main outcome measures.

Results: There were no differences between the groups in any of the main outcome measures.

Conclusions: This study showed that silicone oil and C3F8 gas are equal in most respects for the management of giant retinal tears with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.