We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Procedures

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Vitrectomy?

Niki Acker
By
Updated: Mar 03, 2024
Views: 11,836
Share

A vitrectomy is a surgery to remove vitreous humor, the clear gel filling the eyeball. In an anterior vitrectomy, small amounts of vitreous humor are removed from the front structures of the eye, while a pars plana vitrectomy is performed in the deeper part of the eye. There are a number of medical reasons for removing vitreous humor from the eye, including bleeding in the eye and vitreous floaters, deposits in the vitreous humor that affect vision. Vitrectomy is also sometimes performed as a preliminary step in more extensive eye surgeries.

Vitrectomy arose as a medical procedure in late 1969, when it was used to treat clouded vitreous humor, usually due to vitreous hemorrhage, or bleeding in the eye. The surgery became more sophisticated over the 1970s and 1980s, with the invention of smaller, more precise instruments and techniques. It also gained a wider array of applications, and became useful in the treatment of medial problems affecting the retina and lens.

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue covering the inner surface of the eye. Some disorders of the retina that can be addressed through surgery include retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy, macular holes, and maular pucker. In retinal detachment, the retina becomes loose from the surface of the eye.

In both diabetic retinopathy and macular pucker, unhealthy tissues form on the retina. Diabetic retinopathy may lead to retinal detachment. Macular holes are caused by the natural shrinking of the vitreous humor as a person ages, which can cause pieces of the retina to tear away. All of these disorders cause problems with the vision, and all can be addressed with vitrectomy.

At its simplest, vitrectomy involves inserting small tools into the eye to suction vitreous humor out. It may be performed under local or general anesthesia. The surgery lasts about two or three hours. Typically, the surgery requires an overnight hospital stay, but the patient is sometimes able to return home right after the procedure.

Discomfort is common for up to a few days after the procedure, mainly due to swelling of the eye and eyelid. Ice compresses and acetaminophen can help address most pain associated with the surgery. If discomfort persists or is intense, contact a physician for advice.

In addition to removing vitreous humor from the eye, the surgery may include the injection of air, gas, or liquid silicone into the eye to help hold the retina in place. The surgery may also include scleral bucking, the placement of a band inside the eye to hold the retina in position. Removal of damaged or unhealthy tissues from the inner eye may also be performed, and laser treatment may be used to real macular holes or to shrink unhealthy blood vessels in the eye. Lensectomy, removal of the lens, may also be a part of surgery if the lens has cataracts or is attached to scar tissue.

Complications of vitrectomy include the formation of cataracts, pressure or bleeding in the eye, and less commonly, retinal detachment. Recovery typically requires the use of eye drops for several weeks, and the patient may have to maintain a certain head position during healing if a gas bubble is used to hold the retina in place. Flying and heavy lifting are not recommended during the recovery period. The likelihood of full recovery depends upon the reason for surgery, but a simple procedure to clear up blood or vitreous floaters usually results in a return of 20/20 vision.

Share
The Health Board is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Niki Acker
By Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a The Health Board editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range of interesting and unusual topics to gather ideas for her own articles. A graduate of UCLA with a double major in Linguistics and Anthropology, Niki's diverse academic background and curiosity make her well-suited to create engaging content for WiseGeekreaders. "
Discussion Comments
Niki Acker
Niki Acker
"In addition to her role as a The Health Board editor, Niki Foster is passionate about educating herself on a wide range...
Learn more
Share
https://www.thehealthboard.com/what-is-a-vitrectomy.htm
Copy this link
The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

The Health Board, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.