Vitrectomy Surgery - Helios Vision

What is vitrectomy?

A vitrectomy is keyhole surgery that removes the clear gel inside the eye, called the vitreous, to treat conditions affecting the retina. The vitreous fills the space between the lens and the retina, and removing it gives the surgeon access to work safely at the back of the eye and to relieve problems that the gel may be causing.

Vitrectomy is used for a wide variety of retinal conditions. These include retinal detachment, where the retina has lifted away and needs to be repaired; bleeding into the vitreous, often from diabetes; membranes and scar tissue on the retinal surface; macular holes; and severe or persistent floaters that significantly affect vision. Because the retina is so delicate and central to sight, this surgery requires particular skill and experience, which is why it is carried out by a vitreoretinal specialist. The exact reason for your vitrectomy will determine the precise steps involved, but the common thread is that removing the vitreous allows the underlying problem to be treated directly. Your consultant will explain why vitrectomy has been recommended for your eye and what it is intended to achieve. NICE provides guidelines on vitrectomy.

What a vitrectomy involves

Mr Paritosh Shah, a vitreoretinal surgeon, uses fine instruments through tiny openings to repair the retina and clear the eye. Modern vitrectomy is performed through very small ports, so stitches are often not needed, and the surgery is carried out in Yeovil, frequently as a day case. It is usually done under local anaesthetic, though a general anaesthetic is occasionally considered for specific cases.

During the operation, the vitreous gel is gently removed, and the specific problem is then addressed, which might mean repairing a detachment, removing scar tissue or a membrane, or treating bleeding. At the end of surgery, the eye is sometimes filled with a gas bubble or, less commonly, silicone oil to support the retina while it heals. You may be asked to hold a particular head position for a period afterwards. Your consultant will have explained the plan and the likely recovery beforehand, based on detailed scans and examination of your retina. Because the same specialist who assesses your eye also performs the surgery and reviews you afterwards, your care remains consistent throughout.

What to expect on the day of your vitrectomy

Vitrectomy benefits and considerations

Vitrectomy can restore or protect sight affected by retinal problems that cannot be treated any other way, and for conditions such as retinal detachment or significant vitreous bleeding it is often the only effective option. Repairing the retina promptly gives the best chance of preserving vision, and many people regain useful sight that would otherwise have been lost. According to recent statistics, vitrectomy has a success rate exceeding 90% for improving vision in conditions like retinal detachment.

Recovery varies according to the reason for surgery and may involve specific positioning, particularly if a gas bubble has been placed, and you will be advised not to fly until any gas has cleared. Your consultant will explain the risks that apply to your eye, which can include a rise in eye pressure, the development or progression of a cataract, further bleeding, or, uncommonly, a new retinal problem. Vision often improves gradually over weeks to months rather than immediately, and the final result depends on the condition being treated and the state of the retina beforehand. Because the retina is delicate and every case is different, outcomes cannot be guaranteed, but having surgery performed by an experienced vitreoretinal consultant gives the best chance of a good result. If you have been advised that you may need vitrectomy, a specialist assessment in Yeovil will explain what to expect for your eye.