Vitrectomy
Vitrectomy is an ocular microsurgery technique used to remove the vitreous humor, the clear gel that fills the eye socket.
The technique is indicated to cure diseases of the vitreous and retina.
There are several eye conditions that may require a vitrectomy:
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Vitreous hemorrhages
- Retinal detachment
- Eye injuries or trauma
- Macular holes
- Epiretinal membranes
- Pathologies related to degenerative myopia
- Complications after cataract surgery
- Complications arising from uveitis
The retinal and vitreous surgeon (retinologist) makes three small micro incisions in the sclera (white part of the eye), through which the vitreous cavity is accessed and instruments are introduced to perform the surgery: a light that illuminates the retina, an irrigation cannula that maintains intraocular pressure and a vitrector that cuts and extracts the vitreous. A series of other instruments are also used depending on each particular case.
During surgery, some patients are injected with air or gas into the eye socket, which promotes the retinal repair process and is gradually absorbed. In other cases, silicone oil is used, which does not disappear naturally and may need to be removed during a second operation, provided the ophthalmologist advises it.
Posterior vitrectomy is performed under regional or general anesthesia, and its duration varies depending on the pathology. It is frequently combined with other parallel procedures, such as cataract surgery with intraocular lens implantation.
The occlusive eye patch is usually removed the day after surgery. The patient may experience mild discomfort after surgery, such as a foreign body sensation, red eye, and eyelid swelling. In cases where gas or silicone oil is injected, the presence of these substances causes poor vision, which gradually improves.
A detailed eye examination is performed before surgery, and often requires a series of tests such as fundus photography, macular OCT (Retinal Optical Coherence Tomography), fluorescein angiography, and/or ocular ultrasound.
During the first week, it is recommended to avoid sudden head movements and intense physical exercise is not recommended.
It should be noted that recovery is not immediate and that the first results are seen several weeks or months after surgery.