Vitrectomy Surgery Overview

A vitrectomy is a surgery used to remove the vitreous gel from the middle of the eye. This surgical procedure is conducted for a number of reasons, which often includes treating a retinal detachment. A vitrectomy is conducted for a retinal detachment because it allows the ophthalmologist to have better access to the back regions of the eye. Another common cause for a vitrectomy is due to a vitreous hemorrhage, which is when there is unresolved bleeding into the vitreous gel. A vitrectomy is also conducted to treat large tears in the retina, reduce the severity of vision loss caused by a vitreous hemorrhage, and to treat proliferative retinopathy, which is caused from scar tissue on the retina.

A vitrectomy is considered to be a very beneficial surgery, especially for those who had a severe vitreous hemorrhage. The surgery can slightly restore some vision loss that may have occured due to the bleeding and even stop the bleeding. It has also shown to be very beneficial for people who have abnormal growths of blood vessels within the iris. Some vision loss can be restored if a vitrectomy is conducted to repair a retinal detachment as well; however, the results vary depending on the severity and type of retinal detachment.

How It's Done

To conduct a vitrectomy, a surgeon uses small instruments to make cuts into the eye, where the instruments are then inserted to suction the vitreous gel out. In some cases, the retina will be treated with a laser or scar tissue may need to be removed. If the retina has become detached or torn, it will be repaired at this time as well. To conclude the surgery, silicone gas or oil is injected into the eye to maintain normal eye pressure after the vitreous gel has been removed.

While a vitrectomy is considered to be a safe procedure, there are certain risks associated with it, which can threaten vision. Further bleeding into the vitreous gel can occur, as well as retinal detachment. A corneal edema can occur, which is a fluid accumulation within the cornea. The eye can become infected as well.

Recovery Time

A vitrectomy is often conducted as an outpatient procedure that generally lasts 2 to 3 hours, but in some cases, an overnight hospitalization may be needed. Recovering from a vitrectomy requires you to lay in a certain position for a period of time. This is done to keep the pressure off of the eye while laying down and sleeping. If pressure is put on the eye the retinal detachment can reoccur.

During the recovery process, it is important to seek medical attention immediately if decreased vision, increased pain, or increased redness occurs. If the eye becomes swollen, there is discharge from the eye, or any unusual vision changes occur, medical treatment should be sought.

References:
"Vitrectomy" WebMD
"Vitrectomy" AllAboutVision