What is a Vitrectomy?
A vitrectomy is a type of eye surgery used to treat problems of the eye’s retina and vitreous. In this surgery, your ophthalmologist may:
- Remove blood or other substance keeping light from focusing properly on the retina.
- Remove scar tissue that is wrinkling or tearing the retina and causing poor vision.
- Help repair a retina that has detached (pulled away) from the eye wall.
- Remove a foreign object stuck inside the eye from an injury.
During a vitrectomy, your ophthalmologist removes some or all of the vitreous from the middle of your eye. This vitreous is replaced with either a salt water (saline) solution or a bubble made of gas or oil.
During healing after surgery, your eye replaces the saline solution or the bubble with the natural fluid the eye makes called aqueous humor.
When is vitrectomy done?
Your ophthalmologist may recommend a vitrectomy if you have one of the following diseases or conditions:
- Diabetic retinopathy, with bleeding or scar tissue affecting the retina or vitreous gel.
- Some forms of retinal detachment (when the retina lifts away from the back of the eye).
- Macular hole (a hole or tear in the macula).
- Macular pucker (wrinkles or creases in the macula).
- An infection in the eye called endophthalmitis.
- Severe eye injury.
- Certain problems during cataract surgery.
What happens during a vitrectomy?
A vitrectomy is usually performed in an outpatient surgery center. You will have a local or a general anesthesia to numb the eye.
During surgery, the ophthalmologist will make a small incision into the white of the eye (sclera). They will use a microscope to see inside your eye. Your surgeon will to do one or more of these steps:
- Remove all cloudy vitreous.
- Remove scar tissue from the retina.
- Remove any object that should not be in the eye.
- Return the retina to its proper position against the back of the eye.
- Use a laser to repair a torn retina or other procedure.
- Place an air or gas bubble in your eye to help the retina remain in its proper position (bubble goes away on its own).
- Place a silicone oil bubble in your eye (oil removed later during second surgery).
Following the surgery, you will be monitored as you rest and recover from anesthesia. Then you can go home to rest and recover more comfortably..
