The authors have analyzed 49 consecutive eyes with trauma that had undergone vitrectomy. Anatomic success (eyes with attached retinas and generally clear media, regardless of visual function) was achieved in 80% of eyes. This high rate of success resulted from the use of silicone oil in 20 eyes with complicated retinal detachment that was judged otherwise as irreversible. Functional success (eyes with a final visual acuity of 0.2 [20/100] or better, or a postoperative improvement in visual acuity of two lines on the Snellen chart) was achieved in 53% of eyes. In most of the eyes that underwent vitrectomy 2 months or longer after injury, the visual outcome was poor, even when anatomic success was achieved. Retinal detachment was a major factor in poor surgical prognosis. Prophylactic scleral buckling and/or an encircling procedure significantly decreased the incidence of postoperative retinal detachment.