title: Sudden visual loss after removal of silicone oil.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Removal of silicone oil after vitreoretinal surgery reduces potential complications of glaucoma and cataract and improves visual function in 30% of patients. We report the clinical findings of a series of patients who experienced unexpected and permanent visual loss after removal of silicone oil.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven patients with visual loss after removal of silicon oil were investigated with best-corrected Snellen visual acuity (BCVA) assessment, fundus biomicroscopy, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and electrophysiologic examination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Six men and one woman (average age, 42.8 years.) presented with profound BCVA loss, averaging 4.7 Snellen lines (SD 1.4), after silicon oil removal. No other complications associated with oil removal were noted. The retina remained attached in all cases, no patient developed cystoid macular edema or epiretinal membrane, and optical coherence tomographic and fluorescein angiographic findings remained normal. Electrodiagnostic testing showed a range of abnormalities, with the majority of patients showing severe macular dysfunction.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We describe a new phenomenon of unexpected visual loss after oil removal in patients with good visual potential. The pathogenesis remains obscure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Vitreoretinal Surgery, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, England.
authors.forename: Richard S B
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Newsom
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: Paul M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Sullivan
authors.forename: G Bill
authors.initials: GB
authors.lastname: Aylward
authors.forename: Graham E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Holder
authors.forename: Zdenek J
authors.initials: ZJ
authors.lastname: Gregor
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004322:Drainage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004594:Electrophysiology; D004596:Electroretinography; D005074:Evoked Potentials, Visual; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000601:surgery; D012167:Retinal Perforations / Q000601:surgery; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012827:Silicone Oils; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence; D015354:Vision, Low / Q000209:etiology*; D014792:Visual Acuity; D058609:Visual Field Tests
chemical_list: D012827:Silicone Oils