Vitrectomy Surgery
Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure that allows intervention in these areas through micro-sized incisions in the outermost white part of the eye in order to eliminate various problems in the retina, which is the rearmost segment of the eye, and the vitreous fluid that fills the inside of the eye.
< Before vitrectomy surgery, many eye diseases could not be treated. These diseases could cause permanent vision loss and blindness at advanced levels. All of these diseases can be treated with vitrectomy operations performed today.
Vitreous is the clear and transparent substance that fills the inside of the eye, right after the iris layer in the front, all the way to the optic nerves on the retina at the back. It covers two-thirds of the eye volume. Thanks to this substance, the eye can look anatomically integrated and maintain its shape.
Eye diseases that can be corrected by vitrectomy surgery:
- Due to various reasons in the vascular system within the vitreous. Anything that prevents the retina from functioning properly, such as bleeding,
- Serious inflammations inside the eye,
- Foreign bodies inside the eye,
- Fluid leakage behind the retina after a retinal tear. These are diseases.
These mentioned problems seriously affect the quality of vision and some of them can cause permanent blindness if not intervened.
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SUBJECT TITLES
What is Vitrectomy Surgery (Retinal Surgery)?
Vitrectomy surgery is a surgery performed by entering the eye with the help of various micro-surgical instruments through incisions smaller than 1 mm in the white part of the eye called sclera, in order to eliminate various problems in the retina at the back of the eye and the vitreous covering the inside of the eye. .
With vitrectomy, the vitreous fluid inside the eye is removed, a special solution can be injected to replace the removed fluid, and various interventions can also be made to the retina.
In cases of problems involving the back area of the eye, posterior vitrectomy (applied to this area) pars Plana vitrectomy) is performed by retinal diseases specialists. In order to reduce various risks, vitrectomy surgeries applied to the anterior region due to eye trauma and various lens problems can be performed by ophthalmologists.
Why is Vitrectomy Surgery Performed?
Vitrectomy surgery can be performed for many different reasons. Vitrectomy operation can be performed in many cases related to the vitreous and where retina health is in danger. Situations in which vitrectomy surgery is performed are as follows:
- Diabetic retinopathy,
- Foreign body removal from the eye,
- Vitreous Bleeding,
- Retinal detachment,
- Retinal tears,
- Macular hole,
- Macular pucker,
- Foreign object entering the eye,
- Ocular infections after cataract and intraocular lens surgeries,
- Epiretinal membrane,
- Retinopathy of prematurity
How is Vitrectomy Surgery Performed?
The operation can be performed with general anesthesia or local anesthesia, depending on the patient's wishes and special condition. The operation is performed in the operating room using a vitrectomy device and operating microscope.
In the vitrectomy operation, the vitreous gel is first cleaned after entering the inner part of the eye from the outside. Surgery can be performed to clean intraocular hemorrhages that occur inside the eye and cause vision problems, to remove various foreign objects inside the eye, to repair retinal tissue and to clean various infections. The aim of all these surgeries is to prevent vision loss and preserve vision as much as possible while also preserving the anatomical integrity of the eye.
Depending on the type and level of the disease in the eye, instead of the vitreous fluid removed during the surgery, fluid, air, silicone or Gas may be required. Since the entries into the eye will be made through millimetric incisions, stitching is generally not applied after the surgery.
How Does the Post-Surgery Recovery Process Happen?
In the postoperative period, the fluid created by the eye itself replaces the vitreous fluid over time with the gas bubbles and special solution put into the eye during the surgery. If a special silicone oil was placed inside the eye during the surgery, it will be removed with a second operation a few months after the surgery, after a certain period of time has passed after the first operation, and in this way, the fluid created by the eye itself will be able to function inside the eye.
At the end of the surgery, it will be removed around the eye. Conditions such as redness, bruising, and eyelid swelling may occur. However, these conditions are improving rapidly. You may also experience the feeling of something stuck inside your eye for a short time.
The most decisive factor in the healing process is that the healthier the eye is before surgery, the faster and more efficient the healing process is.
Things to Consider Before the Operation
Before the surgery, your ophthalmologist will perform a detailed examination of your eyes. These examinations are performed by methods such as OCT, retinal ultrasound, slit lamp examination, and fluorescein angiography. If the operation will include the anterior region, additional examinations may be required.
Before the surgery, the ophthalmologist may give certain recommendations to the patient. These may vary from patient to patient.
Your ophthalmologist usually asks the patient not to eat or drink anything 8 hours before the surgery. Again, as a result of various examinations, you may be asked to stop using medication on the day of surgery.
What should be taken into consideration after the operation?
Strictly following the recommendations of the ophthalmologist after the vitrectomy operation will make the healing process more comfortable for the patient and will contribute to the more efficient outcome of the treatment.
Placing air into the eye instead of liquid or silicone during the surgery. If it is done, intraocular pressure changes may occur between one and three weeks. Therefore, getting on a plane or going to high places such as plateaus or mountains during this period poses a danger to the healing process. The real danger here is the intraocular pressure that will develop inside the eye.
If liquid or silicone is injected into the eye, the ophthalmologist will ask the patient to maintain a certain lying position for a certain period of time. Maintaining this position is important for the success of the treatment. You should definitely sleep in the lying position prescribed by the ophthalmologist for the period specified.
It is normal to feel bloodshot, red and stinging in the eye for a certain period of time after the operation. These complaints will pass over time. During this process, various medications prescribed by the ophthalmologist should be used without interruption, in accordance with the procedure.
The hygiene of the eye and its surroundings should be given importance. Water should not come into contact with the eye for 1 week.
During the postoperative period, movements that would put pressure on the eye and cause impact should be avoided. It is important not to neglect regular doctor checks during the specified period in order to monitor the success of the treatment and to determine whether additional measures should be taken.
