The retina 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, in addition, another series of instruments are used according to each particular case.

During surgery, in some patients air or gas is injected into the ocular cavity, which favors the retinal repair process and is progressively absorbed. In other cases, silicone oil is used, which does not disappear naturally and may have to be removed in a second operation, as long as the ophthalmologist advises it.

Posterior vitrectomy is carried out with regional or general anesthesia and its duration is variable 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 notice mild discomfort after the operation, 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.

Before the intervention, a detailed eye examination is performed, and often requires a series of tests such as fundus photography, macular OCT (Optical Retinal Coherence Tomography), fluorescein angiography and/or ocular ultrasound.

 

The first week it is recommended to avoid sudden head movements and intense physical exercise is discouraged.

It should be taken into account that recovery is not immediate and that the first results are seen several weeks or months after surgery.