A vitrectomy is a procedure used to treat retinopathy and other eye diseases in which the vitreous fluids of the eye become clouded or soiled. Retinopathy is an eye disease that is commonly treated through vitrectomy. Vitrectomy procedures are usually performed under general anesthetic, according to the National Eye Institute (NEI), and can preserve a person's sight in many cases. A vitrectomy may be performed on an outpatient basis in many cases. Some people may require an overnight in the hospital for close monitoring after eye surgery.
Eye Incisions
After a general anesthetic is administered to the patient, the eye surgeon makes very small incisions in the eye. The location of the incisions is called the pars plana, the section of the eye that is between the iris and the retina. The iris is the colored part of the eye, and the retina is the tissue at the back of the eye. A tool called an infusion line is inserted into the eye to help maintain a normal eye pressure during surgery.
Removal of Fluid
Once all of the incisions have been made, the surgeon must remove the vitreous fluid (sometimes called vitreos gel) that is damaged and interfering with normal sight. One of the symptoms of retinopathy and other eye diseases is bleeding and the release of other fluids into the vitreous gel. When blood and other contaminants gather at the front of the eye, they block the light that reaches the eye and alters the vision. Removing the dirtied fluid can help restore normal sight in many cases. The vitreous fluid is removed from the eye with through a suctioning device.
Infusion of Replacement Fluid
The eye must remain moist and cannot go without fluid. The vitreous gel that is lost during a vitrectomy is replaced with a saline solution through the same infusion port that maintains eye pressure during the procedure. The National Eye Institute explains that vitreous fluid is almost completely composed of water, and the saltwater substitute used in the operation is an ideal replacement. A person who has undergone a vitrectomy is unable to feel or see the difference between original vitreous gel and the saline solution.
Recovery
Full recovery from a vitrectomy can span a few weeks while the eye heals. The surgeon will prescribe antibiotic eye drops post-surgery to reduce the risk of infection. The affected eye may be red and sore and may require anti-inflammatory eye drops as well. The eye that has been operated on will be patched for several weeks to promote healing.
