Vitrectomy is a type of vitreoretinal surgery used to treat problems of the retina and vitreous. In this surgery, an ophthalmologist may:
- remove blood or other substance keeping light from focusing properly on the retina
- remove scar tissue that is wrinkling or tearing the retina and causing poor vision
- help repair a retina that has detached (pulled away) from the eye wall
- remove a foreign object stuck inside the eye from an injury
During a vitrectomy, the ophthalmologist removes some or all the vitreous from the middle of your eye. This vitreous is replaced with either a salt water (saline) solution or a bubble made of gas or oil.
The Doctor may recommend a vitrectomy if you have one of these diseases or conditions:
- diabetic retinopathy, with bleeding or scar tissue affecting the retina or vitreous gel
- some forms of retinal detachment (when the retina lifts away from the back of the eye)
- macular hole (a hole or tear in the macula)
- macular pucker (wrinkles or creases in the macula)
- an infection in the eye called endophthalmitis
- severe eye injury
- certain problems during cataract surgery
