A vitrectomy can be very urgent or not very urgent depending on the condition being treated.
If you need a vitrectomy for a retinal detachment then the vitrectomy is very urgent as a retinal detachment is a serious condition requiring prompt and urgent treatment through a vitrectomy procedure to prevent loss of vision.
Although if the vitrectomy is needed for other conditions such as vitreous floaters, retinopathy and other less serious conditions then it's not always urgent for you to get the vitrectomy.
A vitrectomy may also need to be done in an emergency such as when you have an eye injury.
A vitrectomy can in rare cases cause blindness although it's a very safe and effective procedure.
Although just like other procedures a vitrectomy does carry some risks of complications which include possible retinal detachment which can cause vision loss or blindness.
However the risk of becoming blind or losing vision from a vitrectomy procedure are low.
An eye will be blurry for up to 2 to 4 days after a vitrectomy.
Most people have blurry vision in the eye for at least 2 days after the vitrectomy and after the vitrectomy the eye may be tender, red and swollen for several weeks which is normal.
You will need to wait at least 2 to 4 weeks to recover fully before you can return to normal activities.
Things you cannot do and should not do after a vitrectomy are moving quickly, cleaning, gardening, lifting anything heavy or anything else that causes you to move your head.
Avoid strenuous activities for a few weeks after the vitrectomy to allow time to heal and avoid driving until the gas bubble in your eye goes away enough to see.
To sleep after a vitrectomy you should sleep with your face down and sleep on your side or front but avoid sleeping on your back after a vitrectomy as doing so will make the bubble move away from the macular hole.
You'll need to sleep with your face down for up to 14 days after the vitrectomy.
The reason you have to stay face down after a vitrectomy is to allow the bubble or oil to remain in the correct position so it heals as quickly and effectively as possible.
A vitrectomy is 90 percent effective even for those over 60 years of age.
A vitrectomy itself should be painless and you should feel no pain during the vitrectomy procedure although you may experience some swelling of the eyes or eye and the eyes may be red or tender for several weeks after the vitrectomy surgery.
You may also have some pain in your eye and your vision will usually be blurry for a few days after the vitrectomy surgery.
It takes around 2 to 4 weeks to recover from a vitrectomy before you can return to your normal activities.
After having a vitrectomy the gas bubble will be absorbed slowly on it's own and leave your eyes.
The bubble of air in your eye after a vitrectomy is made up of mostly oxygen and nitrogen and oxygen with small amounts of argon and carbon dioxide and the air will absorb in 5 to 7 days.
After a vitrectomy your eyes will be dilated for 24 to 48 hours although your vision may remain blurry for at few weeks.
After retina surgery or a vitrectomy you will have to keep your head down for several days or at least a week to allow the bubble to stay in the correct position.
For those having vitreo-retinal surgery for a macular hole will need to posture face down for 14 days; for other conditions this is only necessary for 5 days.
A vitrectomy can remove eye floaters from your line of vision.
With a vitrectomy surgery the eye doctor removes the vitreous through a small incision.
Your vitreous is a clear gel like substance that is meant for keeping the shape of your eye round.
Cataracts after a vitrectomy usually take a few months to a few years to develop although in rare cases the cataracts after a vitrectomy may develop within 1 to 7 days.
The indications for a vitrectomy are removal of vitreous opacities, restoring the normal anatomical relationship of the retinal pigment epithelium, accessing the subretinal space and relieving vitreoretinal traction.
You can wash your face 24 hours after the vitrectomy surgery and you can also have a shower or bath 24 hours after the vitrectomy surgery as well.
You should use a clean washcloth every time and use normal clean tap water to clean any secretions from your lashes or the corner of your eye.
When you take a shower or wash your hair after a vitrectomy you should keep your eyes closed to prevent water and soap from getting into your eyes.
Poor vision or blurry vision after a vitrectomy is normal because the surgery for a vitrectomy involves multiple cuts on the whites of your eyes and when the stitches are very close to your cornea it changes it's shape and causes blurry vision.
Blurry vision after a vitrectomy should go away within 24 to 48 hours but sometimes your vision may continue to be a bit blurry for a week.
There are 2 types of vitrectomies which are posterior pars plana vitrectomy and anterior vitrectomy.
After having a vitrectomy you should not drive until at least 2 weeks have passed.
When you have a vitrectomy you should have someone drive you to the appointment and drive you home as the doctor will likely not release you without a driver to drive you home.
You can sleep on your back after a vitrectomy once 8 weeks have passed.
You need to wait at least 8 weeks after the vitrectomy before sleeping on your back to allow the gas to be fully absorbed.
If you don't stay face down after a vitrectomy it could cause the bubble or oil to get out of the correct position.
When you keep your face down after a vitrectomy it ensures that the bubble or oil remains in the correct position and allows it to heal effectively and quickly.
You don't have to sleep face down after a vitrectomy unless you want too.
You should however keep your face down as much as possible when awake but you don't have to when you're sleeping.
After a vitrectomy it's recommended that you sleep on either side or even your front but avoid sleeping on your back as that can make the bubble move away from the macular hole.
Although it's not recommended you can go for a walk after a vitrectomy although you should not strain yourself when walking.
Simply walking around some is of no harm after you've had a vitrectomy but avoid any other strenuous exercise or activities for at least a week.
A vitrectomy does improve vision although at first your eyesight may be blurry for around 24 hours but then if your eyes are overall healthy then your vision should improve some after the vitrectomy.