Vitrectomy Recovery
Vitrectomy removes the vitreous gel from inside the eye, used to treat conditions such as retinal detachment, macular hole, vitreous haemorrhage, and epiretinal membrane. A gas bubble or silicone oil may be placed in the eye to support the retina. If gas was used, specific head positioning is critical — and you cannot fly until the gas absorbs.
Day surgery or overnight stay. An eye pad is worn for 24 hours or as instructed. Vision in the operated eye will be very blurry, if a gas bubble was used, you may only see light and shadows initially. This is expected.
Eye drops: Typically antibiotic and steroid drops, used several times daily for 4–6 weeks. Follow the schedule exactly: these prevent infection and control inflammation.
Pain: Usually mild to moderate: a gritty, aching sensation. Paracetamol is usually sufficient. Severe pain should be reported immediately as it may indicate raised eye pressure.
As per RCOphth guidelines (last checked Jul 2026): post-operative eye drop compliance is critical for recovery.
If a gas bubble was placed (for retinal detachment or macular hole repair), your surgeon will instruct specific head positioning (often face-down or on one side) for a period of days to weeks.
Why it matters: The gas bubble floats upward and presses against the part of the retina that needs to heal. Correct positioning ensures the bubble is in the right place.
Duration: Varies by condition: typically 5–14 days for macular hole, variable for retinal detachment. Your surgeon will specify the exact requirement.
Practical tips: Face-down supports, massage tables with face holes, and specialised pillows can help. Take regular breaks as advised. The positioning is demanding but directly impacts the surgical outcome.
No flying: You must not fly while gas remains in the eye: altitude pressure changes can cause dangerous eye pressure spikes. Gas typically absorbs in 2–8 weeks depending on type. Your surgeon will confirm when flying is safe.
As per AAO guidelines (last checked Jul 2026): compliance with positioning instructions significantly affects surgical outcomes for macular hole and retinal detachment repair.
With a gas bubble: You will see a dark, shimmering line across your vision. This is the gas-fluid interface. As the gas absorbs (over 2–8 weeks), the line moves down and vision gradually clears from top to bottom.
Without gas (e.g., epiretinal membrane peel): Vision may be blurry initially from inflammation and recover over 4–12 weeks.
Final vision: Depends on the underlying condition and how long it was present before surgery. Many patients achieve significant improvement, though not always back to normal. The macula (central vision) takes the longest to recover, up to 6–12 months.
As per RCOphth guidelines (last checked Jul 2026): visual recovery is gradual and varies by indication. Final assessment is typically at 3–6 months.
- Severe eye pain: possible raised eye pressure (seek same-day review)
- Sudden loss of vision or new 'curtain' across vision (possible re-detachment)
- Increasing redness with discharge (possible infection: endophthalmitis is a medical emergency)
- New flashing lights or a shower of new floaters
- Any planned air travel or anaesthesia while gas is in the eye; MUST be avoided
Your recovery toolkit
Free interactive tools to track your recovery day by day. Everything stays on your device — nothing is uploaded or shared.
These tools support — never replace — the advice of your surgical team. If something feels wrong, contact your doctor or emergency services.