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Vitrectomy Recovery Guide

What to expect after vitrectomy surgery, including recovery timeline, activity restrictions, and when to seek help.

The Day After Surgery

Most patients feel well the day after surgery and are ready to go home within an hour or so. However:

  • • You will need a driver - you cannot drive yourself
  • • The eye is generally comfortable but may feel mild irritation
  • • An eye patch and shield are typically worn
  • • Vision may be blurry initially

Head Positioning

If you had a gas bubble placed: Maintaining the correct head position is critical for the success of your surgery. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions, which may include:

  • • Face-down positioning (most common)
  • • Looking to one side
  • • Keeping your head elevated

You may need to maintain this position for several days to 2 weeks. Special equipment (face-down chairs, pillows) can help.

First Week Guidelines

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Rest

Take it easy for the first few days

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Use eye drops

As prescribed by your surgeon

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Wear protection

Eye shield at night, sunglasses during day

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Keep eye clean

Avoid touching or rubbing

Activity Restrictions

Avoid These Activities

  • • Heavy lifting (more than 10-15 pounds)
  • • Strenuous exercise or bending over
  • • Swimming or hot tubs
  • • Getting water in your eye
  • • Driving until cleared by your doctor

If You Have a Gas Bubble

  • • No air travel
  • • No scuba diving
  • • Avoid high altitudes
  • • No nitrous oxide (laughing gas) for anesthesia

Normal Recovery Symptoms

These symptoms are normal and should improve over time:

  • • Mild discomfort or feeling of something in the eye
  • • Redness around the eye
  • • Minor swelling of eyelids
  • • Floaters or flashes (should decrease)
  • • Blurry vision (improves gradually)
  • • Small subconjunctival hemorrhage (red spot on white of eye)

Recovery Timeline

1-3 days
Rest, initial healing
1 week
First follow-up
2-4 weeks
Gradual activity increase
6+ weeks
Most activities resume

Vision Recovery

Vision recovery varies depending on the reason for surgery and the health of your retina:

  • • Some patients see improvement within days
  • • With a gas bubble, vision is often blurry until the bubble absorbs
  • • Full visual recovery may take weeks to months
  • • Final vision may continue to improve for up to a year