40 years of incomplete silicone oil tamponade after retinal detachment surgery

Introduction: Since the early 1970s, silicone oil injection was used for the treatment of complicated retinal detachments. Especially in this early period, the possible complications of silicone oil tamponade were difficult to assess. Today, we strive to reduce the duration of silicone oil tamponade - aiming at a removal within 3 - 6 months. A permanent tamponade is reserved for special situations. Patient and Method: We report on a 53-year-old male patient, who underwent retinal surgery and was followed-up for 40 years. Results: After a blunt trauma at the age of 13 the patient developed a macula-off retinal detachment. An encircling procedure (Arruga suture) with combined incomplete silicone oil injection was performed. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) preoperatively was 20/60 and 20/100 was attained postoperatively. As a complication of silicone oil tamponade a localised cataract formation was observed. At the last visit BCVA was 20/200. No other silicone oil-related complications were noticed. Conclusion: Long-term silicone oil tamponade over a considerable period of 40 years was well tolerated without significant complications. The incomplete silicone oil filling of the vitreous cavity may be responsible for the lack of serious side effects and segmental cataract.