Vitrectomy is a specialized eye surgery that addresses issues in the retina and vitreous, the gel-like substance that fills your eye. By removing the vitreous, and sometimes replacing it with another material, your surgeon can access and repair the retina, restoring or protecting your vision. Let’s walk through why you might need this procedure, what to expect, and how to prepare and recover.*

Why Your Doctor Might Recommend Vitrectomy 

A vitrectomy isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s typically advised for serious conditions that affect the back of your eye. These issues may cause bleeding, scarring, or displacement of the retina, leading to vision loss or blindness.

Your doctor may recommend this surgery if you experience:

• Retinal detachment or diabetic retinopathy
• Vitreous hemorrhage or a macular hole
• Severe trauma to the eye or infection
• Wrinkles or complications following cataract surgery
  

Depending on the cause, this may be an emergency procedure or one that your provider schedules. Other treatments like laser therapy or scleral buckling could be options, and some eye conditions may have less invasive alternatives, so it’s important to ask your provider and discuss all possibilities.

What Happens During the Procedure

Knowing what to expect can ease your nerves. During surgery, your ophthalmologist will use tiny instruments to remove the vitreous and carry out any needed repairs. You might be under general anesthesia or be awake but sedated. 

The procedure usually involves:

• Small incisions in the white of your eye (sclera)
• Removal of vitreous and any scar tissue
• Repairs like sealing a retinal tear with a laser
• Inserting a solution—saline, a gas bubble, or silicone oil—to maintain eye shape
  

Your eye will likely be patched post-surgery, and you may receive antibiotic ointment to prevent infection.

Recovery, Risks, and Aftercare

You’ll probably go home the same day, but the recovery doesn’t end there. Follow your provider’s instructions closely—especially if you had a gas bubble inserted, as this affects how you sit and whether you can travel by air.

Some common risks include:

• Infection, bleeding, or pressure changes in the eye 
• New retinal detachment or lens damage 
• An increase in cataract development
  

Expect a follow-up appointment shortly after surgery. Let your provider know immediately if your vision worsens or you experience significant pain.

You may need additional surgery if silicone oil was used or if complications arise.

Before moving forward with vitrectomy, ask your eye care provider:

• What are all my treatment options?
• How will this procedure improve my vision?
• What kind of recovery time and follow-up care will I need?
  

Taking time to get informed will help you make the best decision for your eye health.

*Johns Hopkins Medicine. (n.d.). Vitrectomy. Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/vitrectomy#:~ 

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