Anatomical and functional results of endotamponade with heavy silicone oil - Densiron 68 - in complicated retinal detachment.

BACKGROUND High-density silicone oils are newly developed long-term tamponade agents for the treatment of complicated retinal detachment in the inferior retina. Previous studies describe satisfying anatomical and functional results. In this study we examined the largest cohort so far for a 9-month follow-up and performed a comparison to conventional silicone oil. METHODS Our study documents results and adverse effects after vitreoretinal surgery and endotamponade with Densiron 68 in 99 cases of complicated retinal detachment. A 9-month follow-up was performed. Data of 21 patients with intraocular conventional silicone oil tamponade in complicated retinal detachment were retrospectively analyzed and served as control. RESULTS Anatomical success was achieved in 78 of 89 eyes (87.6%) with completed follow-up; visual acuity did not change significantly (from mean preoperative logMAR 1.88 to postoperative logMAR 1.96 (p = 0.9). Compared to control a higher anatomical success but a similar number of adverse effects were observed with heavy silicone oil in vitreous. Nevertheless, patients who received Densiron 68 twice due to redetachment showed a significantly higher rate of intraocular inflammation with the tamponade agent in situ. CONCLUSION Our results support the hypothesis of Densiron 68 as potent tamponade agent for complicated retinal detachment in the inferior retinal segments especially in eyes where a previous operation failed.