If you’ve been scheduled for a surgical vitrectomy, or you’re a friend or relative wanting to learn more on behalf of a patient, this page has been designed to give you a broad overview of what the vitrectomy surgery involves and what it can treat.
What Does Vitrectomy Surgery Achieve?
A vitrectomy eye surgery is performed to remove vitreous gel from the eye, with other procedures varying depending on the condition being treated. Many patients experience improved visual acuity and possible restoration of vision after the surgery, but generally the main reason for vitrectomy is to prevent further worsening of vision.
What Can a Vitrectomy Treat?
A surgical vitrectomy is an effective treatment for a range of retinal and macular conditions, including:
- Eye floaters
- Retinal detachment
- Macular oedema
- Vitreous haemorrhage (bleeding in the vitreous gel)
- Macular hole
- Epiretinal membrane (macular pucker)
What Does the Vitrectomy Procedure Involve?
A vitrectomy surgery involves the use of very small instruments and tools to sever and remove the vitreous gel from the eye. During the surgery, the patient will be lying comfortably on their back and should feel no pain due to the application of a local anaesthetic to the eye. The patient will also be placed under sedation through a drug injected into the vein.
If you have any questions about vitrectomy eye surgery, visit the following pages to learn more about surgical vitrectomy for specific conditions: