Silicone oil in the surgical treatment of endophthalmitis associated with retinal detachment

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the use of silicone oil in the patients who had undergone vitrectomy for the treatment of endophthalmitis associated with retinal detachment.

Methods: Six consecutive cases of endophthalmitis associated with retinal detachment were included in the study. The mean age of the 4 males and 2 females was 47.25 +/- 23.76 years. Endophthalmitis associated with retinal detachment occurred following perforating injuries in 4 eyes, pneumatic retinopexy in I eye and cataract surgery complicated with vitreous loss in I eye. Preoperative visual acuity was light perception-only in all eyes. Red reflex was absent in all eyes. All the patients underwent vitreous tapping, encirclement, vitrectomy, liquid-gas exchange, endolaser photocoagulation and silicone oil injection.

Results: Mean follow-up time was 14.3 +/- 7.20 months. The microorganisms that were isolated from the vitreous aspiration were Staphylococcus epidermidis in 3 cases, Staphylococcus aureus in 1 case. Remaining cases were culture negative. Retinal breaks could be found in 4 eyes. Inflammation subsided significantly at 5 days in all cases. Final retinal reattachment and treatment of endophthalmitis was achieved in 5 eyes at the end of follow-up. Final visual acuity was 20/40 in I case, counting finger in 4 cases and no light perception in 1 case. The postoperative complications were optic atrophy in 1 eye, epiretinal membrane in 2 eyes and phitisis bulbi in 1 eye.

Conclusion: Silicone oil, a retinal tamponading agent that has antimicrobial activity, may have benefical effect in the surgical treatment of endophthalmitis associated with retinal detachment.