Vitrectomy: Understanding Eye Pressure & Post-Operative Care

A vitrectomy is a common surgery that restores, preserves, and improves vision. This procedure comes with the risk of post-operative eye pressure, or ocular hypertension, that threatens to damage the optic nerve.

Uses

• A vitrectomy is performed for retinal disorders and other eye conditions that affect vision ability, including retinal detachment, diabetic vitreous hemorrhage, and post-cataract surgery complications.

Features

• A vitrectomy is performed in an operating room under local anesthesia with sedation. The vitreous gel of the eye is removed and replaced with a mixture of gas and air.

Recovery Time Frame

• After a vitrectomy, the patient must cease all activity and lie face down for two to three weeks to avoid ocular hypertension. Full visual recovery may take a few months.

Maintaining Head Position

• After surgery, the patient must avoid looking upward or lying on the back to avoid raising intraocular pressure.

Air Travel

• Patients must avoid air travel for a few months after surgery. The change in atmospheric pressure could cause a gas bubble in the eye to expand, raising eye pressure.

Eye Drops

• The surgeon may prescribe special eye drops to avoid elevated eye pressure.