Vitrectomy
A surgical procedure where the vitreous gel is removed to access and treat the retina. Used to treat macular holes, retinal detachment, and other conditions.
Post-Surgery Image Area
Retina following vitrectomy — image area
Pre-Surgery Image Area
Retinal detachment before vitrectomy — image area
What is Vitrectomy?
Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure where the vitreous humor (the jelly-like gel that fills the eye cavity) is removed to provide better access to the retina. This allows for a variety of repairs, including removal of scar tissue, laser repair of retinal detachments, and treatment of macular holes.
Once surgery is complete, saline, a gas bubble, or silicone oil may be injected into the eye to help hold the retina in position.
When is Vitrectomy Recommended?
Vision-Blocking Clouding
When the vitreous becomes cloudy, causing hazy vision
Abnormal Pulling on the Retina
Vitreous traction causing retinal tears, detachment, or macular holes
Conditions Needing Retinal Surgery
To treat diabetic retinopathy, infections, or trauma
To Place Therapeutic Devices
Drug delivery devices, glaucoma drains, or gene therapy
Safety and Results
Severe complications are rare with vitrectomy. Anatomical success is over 90% for many conditions. Advances in instrumentation, techniques, and understanding of diseases have made vitrectomy more successful than ever.
Before Surgery
Prior to surgery, your doctor will carefully examine your eye and assess your general health. This typically involves:
Slit-Lamp Exam
Detailed eye examination
OCT Scan
Cross-sectional retina images
Fluorescein Angiography
Blood vessel evaluation
General Health Check
Medication review and clearance
The Day of Surgery
What Happens
- • Most vitrectomies are outpatient procedures
- • Little or no pain with minimal anesthesia
- • Vital signs are monitored throughout
- • The eye is entered through the pars plana (white of eye)
- • Small-gauge instruments are used (about 1/2 mm incisions)
- • Surgery typically takes 1-2 hours
Vitreous Substitutes
At the end of surgery, the eye is filled with one of the following:
- • Sterile saline - gradually replaced by the eye's own fluids
- • Gas bubble - holds retina in place, slowly absorbs
- • Silicone oil - used for more complex cases, requires later removal
Recovery Timeline
First Post-Op Visit
Doctor checks the eye, reviews medications, and positioning instructions
Initial Healing Phase
Rest, use eye drops as directed, avoid strenuous activities
Gradual Improvement
Vision begins to improve, activities gradually resume
Vision Stabilization
Full recovery may take 3-6 months for some procedures