Can the sequential use of conventional silicone oil and heavy oil be a strategy for the management of proliferative vitreoretinopathy?

INTRODUCTION Densiron is a novel long-term tamponade. Its specific gravity is 1.06 g/mL and as such it is heavier than water and provides support for the inferior retina. As proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) has a propensity for the inferior retina, we used Densiron on a consecutive series of 97 cases with inferior pathology. We hypothesised that the sequential use of conventional and heavy silicone oil is a strategy for the management of PVR. MATERIALS AND METHODS A consecutive interventional case series involving the use of Densiron for PVR cases was studied. Patients were selected if conventional silicone oil and Densiron were used sequentially. Anatomical success was defined as total re-attachment in the absence of any tamponade agent for at least 3 months post oil removal. RESULTS Of the 97 patients, 10 patients fulfilled the criteria. Surgery involving Densiron was successful in re-attaching the retina in 7 of 10 cases, with one sequence of alternating light then heavy oil operation, and with one further surgery using silicone oil in the remaining 3 cases. The mean LogMAR preoperative vision was 1.57 and the postoperative vision was 0.82. In 8 of 10 patients, the final vision was 20/200 or better; in 5 of 10 patients, 20/80 or better. The mean follow-up was 19.5 months (range, 9 to 45). CONCLUSIONS The sequential use of conventional silicone oil and Densiron may be a strategy in reducing the number of re-operations. Our case series shows that despite multiple surgical procedures, favourable visual outcome can be achieved.