ObjectiveTo evaluate the incidence of retinal re-detachment and possible risk factors after removal of silicone oil. MethodsThe clinical data of 821 patients (858 eyes) who underwent removal of silicone oil in General Hospital of PLA during 2008-2012 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients included 518 males and 303 females. The age was ranged from 1 to 79 years old, with an average of 44.03 years. All patients underwent removal of silicone oil after vitrectomy combined with silicone oil tamponade (the tamponade period was ranged from 40 days to 13 years, with an average of 6.82 months). The incidence, time and causes of retinal re-detachment were analyzed. ResultsRetinal re-detachment occurred in 43 patients (44 eyes, 5.13%). Among these retinal re-detachment in 44 eyes, 23 eyes (52.27%) occurred in 1 week, 13 eyes (29.55%) in 1-4 weeks, 4 eyes (9.08%) in 4-8 weeks, 2 eyes (4.55%) in 8-12 weeks, and 2 eyes (4.55%) more than 12 weeks after silicone oil removal. Possible reasons of retinal re-detachment included activated original retinal holes (7 eyes), residual peripheral vitreous (3 eyes), traction of epiretinal proliferative membrane (18 eyes), new retinal hole (9 eyes), non-closure of original retinal holes (5 eyes) and traction of retinal incarceration in the scleral incision (2 eyes). ConclusionsThe incidence of retinal re-detachment after silicone oil removal is 5.13%. The incidence reduced gradually with the extension of time after removal silicone oil.