Ischemic optic neuropathy post silicon oil removal

Abstract EN

Objectives: To study the risk of ischemic optic neuropathy following silicon oil removal.

Methods: A prospective analytic study that was conducted on patients who underwent silicon oil removal at King Hussein Medical Center during a one year period from February 2015 till January 2016.

Patients were examined by neuro-ophthalmologists prior to surgery.

Optic nerve function and appearance were assessed.

Any patient with pre existing optic neuropathy was excluded from the study.

Procedure was done using local anaesthesia for all patients by vitreoretinal surgeon.

The duration of surgery and maximum bottle height during the procedure, and the viscosity of silicon oil used whether 1000 or 5000 centistokes were recorded.

Optic nerve function and appearance were evaluated after silicon oil removal for a period of 3 months after surgery.

Results: One hundred and sixty- two patients were enrolled.

Mean age was 57.4 years with males slightly outnumbering females.

Thirty- eight patients were excluded due to presence of pre existing optic neuropathy.

The indications for silicon oil injection were proliferative diabetic retinopathy, rhegmatogenous retinal detachment, trauma, macular hole and combined.

Sixteen patients developed optic neuropathy after silicon oil removal.

Statistical significance was seen in patients with 5000 centistokes silicon oil, bottle height of infusion line exceeding 50 cm, and retained silicon oil for more than 12 months.

Conclusion: Silicon oil removal can lead to ischemic optic neuropathy.

It is important to take ecautions during the procedure in order to prevent this complication.