A vitrectomy is a type of eye surgery that removes the vitreous humour — the clear, gel-like substance that fills the back of your eye. Doctors recommend this procedure when the vitreous becomes cloudy, bleeds, or pulls on the retina in a harmful way. In Canada, this surgery is performed by specialist ophthalmologists and is covered under most provincial health plans when medically necessary. This article explains what a vitrectomy involves, why you might need one, and what recovery looks like.
What Is a Vitrectomy?
Your eye is filled with a clear gel called the vitreous humour. It sits behind the lens and helps your eye hold its round shape. Normally, light passes straight through it to reach the retina at the back of your eye.
A vitrectomy removes some or all of this gel. Once the vitreous is removed, your surgeon can access the retina directly. The eye is then filled with a saline solution, a gas bubble, or silicone oil to keep its shape while healing takes place.
This surgery requires a high level of precision. It is performed using tiny instruments and a microscope. Most vitrectomies are done under local anaesthesia, meaning you are awake but your eye is completely numb.
Why Would You Need a Vitrectomy?
There are several medical reasons your ophthalmologist might recommend a vitrectomy. Each situation involves a problem that affects how well you can see — or that puts your vision at serious risk if left untreated.
Bleeding Inside the Eye
One of the most common reasons for a vitrectomy is a condition called vitreous haemorrhage. This happens when blood leaks into the vitreous gel, making your vision cloudy or completely blocked. Bleeding can come from a torn retina, a traumatic injury to the eye, or the growth of abnormal new blood vessels.
In many cases, the blood clears on its own within a few weeks. However, if it does not resolve, a vitrectomy becomes necessary. Removing the blood-filled vitreous restores clear sight and allows your doctor to treat the underlying cause.
Retinal Detachment
A detached retina is a serious eye emergency. It happens when the retina pulls away from the tissue supporting it at the back of the eye. Without prompt treatment, it can cause permanent vision loss.
Sometimes the vitreous gel pulls on the retina and causes the detachment. In these cases, a vitrectomy releases that tension. Your surgeon may also use laser treatment or a gas bubble during the same procedure to reattach the retina properly. According to Mayo Clinic’s overview of retinal detachment, early treatment greatly improves outcomes.
Scar Tissue on the Retina
After certain eye infections or inflammations — called uveitis — scar tissue can form on the surface of the retina. This scar tissue can distort your vision by pulling or wrinkling the retina. A vitrectomy allows your surgeon to carefully peel away that tissue and restore a clearer image.
Severe Eye Infections
In rare but serious cases, bacteria or fungi can infect the inside of the eye. This is called endophthalmitis. A vitrectomy helps clean out the infected tissue and allows antibiotics to reach deeper into the eye. This approach gives the best chance of saving your vision.
How Is a Vitrectomy Performed?
A vitrectomy is typically done as day surgery. You usually go home the same day, though someone must drive you. The procedure itself takes between one and three hours, depending on how complex your situation is.
Your surgeon makes three very small cuts in the white of your eye. Through these openings, they insert a light source, a small camera, and a cutting tool. The vitreous gel is carefully cut and suctioned out.
Once the vitreous is removed, your surgeon treats the underlying problem — whether that means repairing a tear, flattening the retina, or removing scar tissue. The eye is then filled with a replacement fluid to maintain its structure during healing.
What Fills the Eye After Surgery?
Depending on your condition, your eye may be filled with one of the following:
Saline solution: A salt-water fluid that your eye gradually absorbs and replaces with its own natural fluid.
Gas bubble: A special gas that holds the retina in place while it heals. It slowly absorbs over several weeks.
Silicone oil: Used in more complex cases. It may need to be removed in a second procedure later on.
If your surgeon uses a gas bubble, you will need to hold your head in a specific position — often face-down — for several days. This helps the bubble press against the right part of the retina. Your care team will give you clear instructions on how to do this.
What to Expect During Recovery
Recovery from a vitrectomy takes time. Most people experience some discomfort, redness, and blurry vision in the first few days. This is completely normal. Your surgeon will prescribe eye drops to prevent infection and reduce inflammation.
Full recovery can take anywhere from two to eight weeks, depending on the complexity of your surgery and your overall eye health. During this time, you will have several follow-up appointments with your ophthalmologist.
Activity Restrictions
Your doctor will give you a list of activities to avoid during healing. These typically include:
Heavy lifting or strenuous exercise
Rubbing or pressing on your eye
Swimming or submerging your face in water
Flying in an airplane if a gas bubble was used (changes in air pressure can cause serious harm)
Follow these restrictions carefully. Rushing your recovery can undo the repair and put your vision at risk.
Vision After Surgery
Many people see an improvement in their vision after a vitrectomy. However, the final result depends heavily on the condition of your retina before surgery. If the retina was already damaged, vision may improve only partially.
It is important to have realistic expectations. Your ophthalmologist is the best person to discuss what kind of visual improvement you can likely expect based on your specific situation. For further reading, Healthline’s guide to vitrectomy and recovery offers a helpful patient-friendly overview.
Possible Risks and Side Effects
Like any surgery, a vitrectomy carries some risk. Your surgeon will review these with you before you consent to the procedure. Being informed helps you make the best decision for your health.
Common side effects in the weeks following surgery include:
Mild pain or pressure in the eye
Temporary increase in floaters or flashes of light
Redness and sensitivity to light
Blurred vision during the healing period
One of the most well-known long-term risks is the development of a cataract. A cataract causes the lens of the eye to become cloudy. Research shows that many patients who undergo a vitrectomy develop a cataract within the following months or years. In these cases, a separate cataract surgery is usually very effective.
More serious but less common risks include:
Re-detachment of the retina
Increased eye pressure (glaucoma)
Infection inside the eye
Permanent vision loss in rare cases
Your ophthalmologist will monitor your eye closely during follow-up visits to catch and treat any complications early. You can also learn more about eye health from Health Canada’s official health information resources.
When to See a Doctor
If you notice sudden changes in your vision, you should act quickly. Do not wait for a scheduled appointment if something feels wrong. Early treatment almost always leads to better outcomes.
Contact your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or go to the emergency room right away if you experience:
A sudden increase in floaters or flashes of light
A dark curtain or shadow appearing across part of your vision
Sudden blurry or cloudy vision
Eye pain that does not improve after surgery
Any visible changes around your surgical site
Your family doctor can refer you to an ophthalmologist through your provincial health plan. If you cannot get a timely appointment, a walk-in clinic can assess you and expedite a referral. Do not ignore warning signs — your vision is too important to delay care.
Always speak with a qualified healthcare provider before making any decisions about your eye health or treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions About Vitrectomy
Is a vitrectomy a major surgery?
A vitrectomy is considered a significant eye surgery, but it is typically performed as day surgery under local anaesthesia. Most patients go home the same day. While it is delicate and requires a specialist, it is a routine procedure for experienced ophthalmologists.
How long does it take to recover from a vitrectomy?
Recovery from a vitrectomy generally takes between two and eight weeks. Your vision may be blurry during this time, and you will need to follow activity restrictions closely. Your ophthalmologist will monitor your progress through several follow-up appointments.
Will my vision be normal after a vitrectomy?
Many people see improved vision after a vitrectomy, but results vary depending on how much retinal damage was present before surgery. Some patients regain near-normal vision, while others see only partial improvement. Your ophthalmologist can give you a realistic idea of what to expect in your specific case.
Can a vitrectomy cause cataracts?
Yes, developing a cataract is one of the known long-term risks of a vitrectomy. Many patients notice clouding of the lens in the months or years following surgery. Fortunately, cataract surgery is a very common and effective treatment if this occurs.
Is a vitrectomy covered by provincial health insurance in Canada?
In most provinces, a vitrectomy is covered under provincial health plans when it is deemed medically necessary. Coverage applies when the surgery is needed to treat conditions like retinal detachment or vitreous haemorrhage. Check with your provincial health authority or family doctor for details specific to your province.
What happens to the vitreous humour after a vitrectomy?
After a vitrectomy, the removed vitreous humour is replaced with a saline solution, a gas bubble, or silicone oil to maintain the shape of the eye. Over time, your eye naturally produces aqueous fluid that gradually fills the space. In most cases, your eye adjusts well to the replacement fluid.
Key Takeaways
A vitrectomy is surgery to remove the vitreous gel from inside the eye.
It is used to treat vitreous haemorrhage, retinal detachment, scar tissue, and serious eye infections.
The surgery is done by a specialist ophthalmologist and is usually covered by provincial health plans when medically necessary.
Recovery takes two to eight weeks, and full results depend on the health of your retina before surgery.
Cataract development is a known long-term risk, but it can be treated effectively with a separate procedure.
Sudden changes in vision are a medical urgency — contact your family doctor, walk-in clinic, or emergency room right away.
Always consult a qualified eye care professional before making decisions about your treatment.
