Vitrectomy Procedure

What is a vitrectomy? A surgical procedure where a clear jelly-like fluid is removed which is located in the middle eye. Every procedure is different as some patients only have to remove a small amount of fluid, whereas others may have to remove more fluid. The fluid which is removed is what gives our eyes its shape and appearance. But many a time, this fluid has to be reduced or removed for which the reasons may vary from person to person.

The most common reason for the procedure can be because the fluid inside the eye has debris, a foreign body, or some kind of infection or due to some other eye problem. In such cases, the surgery is conducted before further damage to the eye can occur. Other times, the fluid has to be removed before another surgery, such as a biopsy of the surrounding tissue or to repair the retina. In the procedure to repair the retina, the only way to access it is through the vitreous fluid. In most patients, the reason for this procedure is related to diabetes as it can cause tiny blood vessels to puncture inside the fluid. Once this happens, the patient's ability to see can be greatly reduced.

How is the Procedure Done

During the surgery, the ophthalmologist will insert small instruments inside the patient's eye, cutting the vitreous gel, and sucking it out. After the gel is removed, the surgeon can easily treat the retina with a laser by cutting/removing the scar tissue from the retina, flattening the area where the detached retina is. Or, the surgeon could just repair the tears and/or holes in the retina. Before finishing the procedure, the surgeon injects either silicone oil or a gas inside the eye in order to replace the gel that was removed. This will restore the patient's normal pressure in that eye which was operated on.

What is the Recovery Time?

The surgery itself is not a serious issue but proper eye care should be practiced after it. In most cases, a procedure is performed as a secondary surgery, a necessary part for more serious procedure (to restore or preserve eyesight and proper functioning of both eyes). However, it can still be performed as an independent procedure entirely. Depending on this (independent or secondary procedure), the surgeon may advise an overnight stay in the hospital or an outpatient surgery. Use of local or general anesthesia depends solely on the ophthalmologist and the surgery can last for about 2-3 hours.

After getting discharged, you'll be advised to rest in a particular position at home. The surgeon will provide information about the specific position to rest in so that the silicon oil or gas can push itself against the separation. Once at home, the patient should contact the surgeon immediately if he/she notices the signs of complications mentioned below, after the surgery:

• Increase in pain
• Decrease in vision
• Increase in redness
• Bulging around the eye
• Discharge from the eye
• Change in eyesight or blurred vision

The patient has to take it easy after the surgery for few days and not perform any strenuous activities that can risk pressure over the eye area. He also needs to wear an eye patch. Flying after the procedure is strictly not allowed till the surgeon gives allows you to. Depending on the nature of the surgery and the surgeon's advise, the patient can resume certain activities after a few days. Complete vitrectomy procedure's recovery period is around 4-6 weeks, although this can vary from person to person. The cost will solely depend on where you live, who's your surgeon, and exactly what is the procedure for. It is very essential for the patient to keep the eye patch over the eye and use eye drops (to speed up the recovery time) which are prescribed by the surgeon. Also, the patient should always be in contact with his/her doctor if there are any issues or discomfort felt in the eye.