Results of silicone oil removal in post-cytomegalovirus retinitis-related retinal detachment

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results of silicone oil removal (SOR) in post-cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis-related retinal detachment in Indian eyes. METHODS: A retrospective review of CMV retinitis-related retinal detachment following SOR was conducted. RESULTS: Out of 60 eyes (55 patients) that had vitrectomy with silicone oil tamponade between 1995 and 2010, 11 eyes underwent SOR. There were two females and eight males, and the mean age was 41.27 ± 9.8 years. The duration between primary detachment surgery and SOR was 8.82 ± 2.56 months. The mean duration of HIV positivity was 33 ± 28.65 months (nearly 3 years). The average CD4 cell count at the time of SOR was 365 ± 85 cells/mm3. The mean best corrected pre-SOR visual acuity in logMAR was 1 ± 0.85, and the post-SOR acuity was 1.13 ± 0.67 (p = 0.69). The mean follow-up post-SOR was 7.54 ± 7.76 months. Out of the 11 eyes that underwent SOR, in 9 eyes, the retina was attached at the last follow-up. The anatomical success rate following SOR was 81.82% (9/11; CI, 59.03–100%). CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest a relatively low redetachment rate following SOR in CMV retinitis-related retinal detachment.