Subretinal silicone oil: OCT imaging findings and surgical management of a rare and unusual iatrogenic complication of retinal detachment surgery

Abstract

A man in his 50s underwent vitrectomy surgery for a macular off retinal detachment which was complicated by intraoperative hypotony and suprachoroidal haemorrhage, resulting in the use of silicone oil tamponade. Postoperatively, several retained cysts of fluid were seen underneath the retina, one of which was large and close to the macular. Imaging was used to determine that this was likely retained silicone oil. Given the potential of migration to the macular and retinal toxicity, the decision was made to remove the larger oil bubbles under the retina. We explain how the oil may have got under the retina in this unusual case, how we dealt with it and discuss other cases of different substances under the retina and their appearance on ocular imaging.