Objective To investigate the causes of visual loss and failure of treatment after intraocular silicone oil removal. Methods Retrospective clinical analysis of the causes of loss of visual acuity of 15 eyes after silicone oil removal in patients with complicated retinal detachment which were successfully treated with vitreous and retinal microsurgery. Results Among the 15 eyes,retina failed to reattach in 11 eyes,secondary glaucoma occurred in 2 eyes and corneal opacity appeared in another two eyes.All of them were resulted in total loss of vision. Conclusion Retinal redetachment was the leading cause of final visual loss in the failing 15 cases(15 eyes) after intraocular silicone oil removal,and secondary glaucoma and corneal decompensation may also be the causes of visual loss. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 230-231)