Dellen formation as a complication of subconjunctival silicone oil following microincision vitrectomy

PURPOSE: To study the subconjunctival silicone oil (SCSO) parameters associated with dellen formation following microincision vitrectomy (MIV). PATIENTS AND METHODS: This was a case–control study of 20 eyes with SCSO following MIV. Ten of them suffered postoperative dellen formation. Dellen occurrence, their sizes, number of loci, and distance between SCSO and the limbus were recorded. The outcome after silicone-oil removal was evaluated. RESULTS: The SCSO was at 3.1±1.2 mm from the limbus. All cases with dellen had SCSO within 2 mm of the limbus (P<0.001). No other factors were found to be associated with dellen formation (age, P=0.414; sex, P=0.656; laterality, P=1; indication for pars plana vitrectomy, P=0.655; instrument gauge, P=0.211; circumference involved by SCSO, P=0.252). All the dellen healed after surgical evacuation of SCSO (P<0.001), leaving scars. CONCLUSION: Dellen can be associated with MIV secondary to SCSO near the limbus. Resolution with scarring occurred following SCSO evacuation. Therefore, SCSO should be evacuated as early as possible to avoid long-term peripheral corneal morbidity.