A common surgery performed for various conditions of the eye is called a vitrectomy. This involves removal of the vitreous jelly from the interior of the eye, as many eye diseases are related to abnormalities in the vitreous. This abnormality may be inflammation, hemorrhage or hazing of the vitreous that directly affects the vision. It may be an abnormal vitreous that is affecting the retina in conditions such as a macular hole or macular pucker. It also may be involvement of the vitreous jelly in primary retinal conditions where the vitreous involvement creates complications such as diabetic retinopathy or retinal detachments. At times, the retina may be the primary focus of surgery but the vitreous has to be removed to allow access to the retina such as in retinal vein occlusions and bleeding beneath the retina.

Vitrectomy surgery is performed in the hospital or in an outpatient surgical facility and may involve local or general anesthesia. The surgery is performed under a microscope utilizing small needle-sized instruments inside the eye and requires precision. The post-operative recuperation can vary. In most instances, one can return to relatively normal activity after several days. In some situations, however, recuperation can be considerably longer and may require keeping the head in a given position for up to two weeks. Some complicated situations may require more than one surgery.

If you have a condition requiring vitrectomy surgery, your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits of the surgery as well as the reason for surgery and the intended outcome.