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Remove or not to remove silicone oil after surgery

I have had retinal surgery twice.  The second time they put the silicone oil in the eye.  It has been two years since that was done and i still have the oil in.  The surgeon who put it in said it does NOT have to come out necessarily.  My local retina surgeon whom did not do the surgery (he does monitoring care) has said repeatdly that the oil needs to come out otherwise it will cause corneal destruction (no lens in the eye).  Yet the oil never touches the cornea with the exception of 3 times, the oil has migrated to the front of the eye when i was sleeping.  All three times I fortunately have been sucessful to get it to go back towards the back of the eye behind the iris where it is suppose to be.  Other than that, no complications with the exception of minor irritation varying from day to day. My vision currently with the oil in is 20/100-200.  I can live with that.  What I can't live easily with, if the oil comes out and the retina redetaches again and have more surgeries or possible blindness.  He said there is about a 10% chance that the retina could redetach.  Should I be in any hurry to take the oil out if at all?
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Avatar universal
Last month I had retina detachment surgery. My right eye started to see a dark cloud and now i can't see barely anything other than bright lights. Im 15.
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Answered on your other post
Avatar universal
In 1979 at age 42, my left eye underwent a vitretomy, cataract removal, and repair of a nasal retin tear.  I have no record, but I remember being told that the vitrious was replaced with a silicone oil and I know I did not undergo any subsequent procedure to have it removed.  Initial results after a few weeks were spectacular with corrected vision of 20/35.  Over the years vision in that eye (and I have essentially no vision in the other eye, both damaged as a child from a firecracker accident).  Over the years vision has gradually reduced to where it is now 20/400 due to calcium band build-up.
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An ophthalmologist looking into your eye should easily be able to tell you whether you have silicone oil in your eye. Ask them.

If the cause of the poor vision is corneal calcium you need to see a cornea specialist. They can often remove the calcium using EDTA and improve the vision.  If you do not have silicone in your eye other causes of elevated blood calcium need to be exclused with blood tests such as parathyroid dysfunction or kidney problems.
Avatar universal
i had retinal attachment surgery when i was 12 years old i am now 48. but one of the silicone balls they used to keep my retina in place moved. it is protruding out the side of my eye now and has been for 30 years. do i need to get it removed? what are the dangers of having silicone in my eye?
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sir my mother has had 3 suregeries for retinal deattachment, first was scleral bucking and cryo, 2nd was vitrectomy with filling with silicone oil, 3rd cataract surgery. her vision has kept deterioriating with formation of scar tissue. her final surgery of removal of scar tiss and silicone oil and filling with gas is left. kindly help us regarding treatment options for improving vision, as we hav become weary of repeated surgeries and vision not being stabilised.
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I just found out I  have a macular hole in one of my eyes. Both eyes have  had cataract surgery in the last 2 months. What are the chance that the cataract sugery may have caused the hole? I was told this would have happened anyway, but would the cataract operation have brought this on sooner?
thank you
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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Avatar universal
I had a situation like yours. I saw no reason to take the oil out, my vision was like yours, I had no pain, however, the retina specialist said it was time to remove the oil.  My retina immediately detached,  and 4 procedures later, I have no vision and my eye hurts all the time.  My experience says leave the oil in. Kel in TN
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Avatar universal
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TO: mikedebbie

If you post another derisive, snide comment as above you will be removed from postings on the two Eye Forums and we will ask the Webmaster to remove your from use of www.MedHelp.com


THE PHYSICIANS OF THE AAO EYE CARE FORUMS
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MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
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what advice...don't you have an opinion of your own.  I could have got a better response probably from a 5th grader.
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233488 tn?1310693103
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
When your physicians disagree you have two choices: believe one or the other and follow his/her advice or second get a third opinion.

JCH III MD
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