LaserVision

Treatment at a glance

Treatment Time

30-60 mins

Anaesthetic

Numbing drops

Downtime

1 week

Longevity

Long Term

Key Benefit

Improved quality of vision

What is Vitrectomy?

Vitrectomy is a procedure that involves the careful removal of the vitreous gel from inside the eye. The vitreous can become affected by bleeding, retinal tears, retinal detachment, macular holes, epiretinal membranes or complications related to diabetes. When this occurs, vision may become blurred, distorted or obscured by floaters or shadows.

During vitrectomy surgery, the cloudy or damaged vitreous is removed and replaced with a clear solution to maintain the eye’s shape. In some cases, a gas bubble or silicone oil may be used to support the retina while it heals. The procedure allows the surgeon direct access to the retina, enabling delicate repairs that would otherwise not be possible.

Vitrectomy is often recommended when non-surgical treatments are insufficient to protect or restore sight. Modern techniques make the surgery highly precise, with improved safety and recovery times compared to traditional methods.

vitrectomy laser vision

Vitrectomy is usually performed under local anaesthetic with sedation, though general anaesthetic may be recommended in some cases. The surgery typically takes between 45 minutes and two hours depending on the complexity of the condition being treated. Tiny self-sealing incisions are made in the white of the eye to insert microsurgical instruments.

After surgery, patients may need to use eye drops for several weeks. If a gas bubble is used, specific head positioning may be required to support healing. Recovery times vary, but many patients notice gradual visual improvement as the eye heals.

Vitrectomy is usually performed under local anaesthetic with sedation, though general anaesthetic may be recommended in some cases. The surgery typically takes between 45 minutes and two hours depending on the complexity of the condition being treated. Tiny self-sealing incisions are made in the white of the eye to insert microsurgical instruments.

After surgery, patients may need to use eye drops for several weeks. If a gas bubble is used, specific head positioning may be required to support healing. Recovery times vary, but many patients notice gradual visual improvement as the eye heals.

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Treatment Benefits Benefits

What are the benefits of Vitrectomy?

  • Restores clearer vision by removing blood or debris
  • Repairs retinal detachments and macular conditions
  • Reduces severe floaters affecting daily life
  • Helps prevent permanent vision loss
  • Enables treatment of complex retinal diseases

How is it performed?

  • 1.Local anaesthetic is administered to numb the eye.
  • 2.Tiny incisions are made in the sclera (white of the eye).
  • 3.The vitreous gel is carefully removed using microsurgical instruments.
  • 4.Retinal repairs are carried out if required.
  • 5.The eye is filled with a clear solution, gas bubble or silicone oil.
  • 6.Small incisions self-seal or are closed if necessary.
laser vision virectomy
LaserVision-FAQ-Main

Frequently Asked Questions

A vitrectomy is an operation to remove the vitreous gel from inside the eye. It is performed to treat problems affecting the retina at the back of the eye.

Common reasons include:

The procedure is usually done under local anaesthetic, sometimes with light sedation. Patients should not feel pain during surgery, although they may feel pressure. Afterwards, mild discomfort, watering, or a gritty sensation is common for a few days.

Yes, most vitrectomy surgeries are performed as day cases, meaning the patient goes home the same day.

Yes, the eye is normally padded overnight and reviewed the following day or as instructed by the surgeon.

A gas bubble is sometimes placed inside the eye at the end of surgery (e.g. for macular holes or retinal detachments).
It helps press the retina into position while healing occurs.
While the gas is present:

If a gas bubble is used, patients may be asked to maintain a specific head position (e.g. face-down) for several days. This ensures the bubble presses against the correct area of the retina.
Not all vitrectomies require posturing.

Commonly discussed risks include:

If the patient still has their natural lens, cataract progression is common following vitrectomy. Many patients require cataract surgery within the following months or years.

Success depends on the underlying condition:
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Patient Experience