What is a Vitrectomy and Why Might It Be Required?

In the middle section of our eyes is a gel-like substance called vitreous. This substance is clear, allowing light to pass through and send visual messages to your brain, ie; our vision. 

On occasion, this vitreous substance might no longer be transparent but become opaque instead. This opaque shade casts shadows across your eyes retina, causing dirt or dust like impairments to vision. These little blocks to your vision are known as “floaters”.

While a small amount of floaters may not hinder your day to day life, sometimes they can become too noticeable and affect your overall vision. What’s more, if these vitreous floaters are firmly attached to the back of your eye in an area known as the Macula, they may shrink over time, pulling against the Macula and causing a hole. This hole can also lead to vision problems.

A vitrectomy is a procedure to break down and cut these floaters and remove them from your eye so your vision may be restored and improved.

Why Do We Need To Lie Flat After This Procedure?

During the vitrectomy, your surgeon will enter a little bubble of air and gas into your eye that acts as a band-aid of sorts. This air bubble will naturally absorb into the eye while recovery is taking place.

Simply put, this little band-aid bubble of air and gas follows the laws of physics, and rises up in the eye.

Should you be standing normal and facing outwards, the bubble will rise to the top of your eye and not remain in the required position of your eye needed for healing.

By remaining in a constant horizontal position, the air bubble will naturally float towards the back of your eye where all the recovery is taking place, and do it’s job.

Over the course of your recovery period, the gas bubble will slowly absorb into the eye and disappear. After a few days you should gradually notice improvements to your vision.

Please note: All information on this page is intended to help educate patients. However, it should not be considered a substitute for your own doctors advice. Always consult your doctor.