title: The efficacy of silicone oil for complicated retinal detachments in the pediatric population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the efficacy of silicone oil as an intraocular tamponade for complicated retinal detachments in the pediatric population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case series.
  
  
  METHODS
  Referral practice at a major university hospital eye center.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive referred sample of 48 cases of complicated retinal detachments in children 16 years old or younger. Forty-two percent of the patients had traumatic injuries, and 35 of the eyes had undergone at least one previous retinal surgery. The minimum follow-up was 6 months, with an average follow-up of 23 months.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pars plana vitrectomy, silicone oil injection, and advanced vitreoretinal surgical techniques.
  
  
  METHODS
  Successful repair of complicated retinal detachment, improved visual acuity post-operatively, and frequency of complications.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The postoperative visual acuity at the last follow-up examination was counting fingers or better in eight (17%) of the 48 cases, and only two eyes saw 20/200 or better. In the 46 eyes in which the retinal status could be determined, 16 retinas (35%) were successfully reattached at last follow-up. Significant complications included corneal opacification (62%) and hypotony (58%). Postoperative glaucoma was not a problem.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In the pediatric population with complicated retinal detachments, silicone oil used for intraocular tamponade has disappointing results due to a low rate of sustained retinal reattachment, poor visual rehabilitation, and a high complication rate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University Eye Center, Durham, NC.
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Ferrone
authors.forename: B W
authors.initials: BW
authors.lastname: McCuen
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: de Juan
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Machemer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000209:etiology; D011379:Prognosis; D012086:Reoperation; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery*; D012827:Silicone Oils / Q000009:adverse effects; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D012827:Silicone Oils