Central Vision Loss Associated with Silicone Oil in the Treatment of Retinal Detachment

Purpose: We present four patients that experienced vision loss associated with the use and removal of silicone oil as part of treatment for retinal detachment. Though silicone oil has been previously reported to cause vision loss, we believe these cases represent a distinct pathological mechanism. Methods: Patients underwent evaluation with a complete ophthalmic examination, optical coherence tomography of the macula, magnetic resonance imaging of the orbits, electroretinogram, and other tests as deemed clinically necessary. Patients: Four patients were diagnosed with rhegmatogenous retinal detachments and underwent vitrectomy with silicone oil placement as part of their treatment. These patients later developed severe central scotomata, and retained poor central visual acuity after refraction and treatment of identifiable causes of decreased acuity. Conclusion: These four patients experienced significant loss of visual acuity associated with the use or removal of silicone oil in the treatment of retinal detachment. Visual loss has been previously reported with the use of silicone oil, but in prior literature characteristic changes on optical coherence tomography were noted. Imaging and other diagnostic modalities performed on these patients did not identify the cause for these patients vision loss and we believe these four cases represent a novel pathologic entity