Vitrectomy - Eye/Lasik Care

Vitrectomy Treatment Abroad

Vitrectomy is a specialized eye surgical procedure for the removal of the vitreous gel from the eye. There are certain eye conditions that require the vitrectomy procedure such as:

• To repair or prevent traction retinal detachment, especially when it threatens to affect the macula
• Repair very large tears in the retina
• Reduce vision loss caused by bleeding in the vitreous gel (vitreous hemorrhage) when bleeding is severe or when the blood does not clear on its own after several months
• Treat severe proliferative retinopathy that causes severe scar tissue formation or when the growth of new blood vessels on the retina (neovascularization) continues despite repeated laser treatment.

During the vitrectomy surgery, the eye surgeon will insert small instruments into the eye, cutting the vitreous gel, and, with a special microscopic needle the gel is suctioned out. After the removal of the vitreous gel, the surgeon can treat the retina with a laser surgery also referred to as photocoagulation, thus cutting or removing fibrous or scar tissue from the retina. The procedure also helps to flatten areas where the retina has become detached, or repair tears or holes in the retina or macula.

At the end of the procedure, silicone oil or a gas is injected into the eye to replace the vitreous gel and restore normal eye pressure. 

What Should you Expect after Vitrectomy Surgery?

Vitrectomy may require an overnight hospital stay or it can also be performed as outpatient surgery. The surgery duration varies from 2 to 3 hours and the anesthesia type is decided by your eye doctor, depending upon your condition. Be advised that Vitrectomy is very different when the patient has diabetes.

vitrectomy removal of the vitreous gel eye surgery prices opthalmologists image

Your surgeon will advise you on the special positions to assert during your rehabilitation period at home, so that the gas or oil can push against the detachment.

Contact your doctor right away if you notice any signs of complications after surgery, such as:

• Any discharge from the eye
• Decreasing vision
• Increasing pain
• Increasing redness
• Swelling around the eye
• Any new floaters, flashes of light, or changes in your field of vision.

Advantages of Vitrectomy Surgery:

Vitrectomy has been shown to greatly improve visual acuity in many people who have severe vitreous hemorrhage that has not cleared on its own.

Vitrectomy can decrease the risk of severe bleeding in people who have begun to have bleeding into the vitreous gel.

Vitrectomy can reduce the risk of severe bleeding in people with growth of abnormal blood vessels in the iris.

Vitrectomy can restore some vision that is lost as a result of traction retinal detachment and may help prevent further detachment.  

Risks of Vitrectomy Surgery

Vitrectomy may cause elevated pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure, or IOP), especially in glaucoma patients.

Several other serious, vision-threatening risks linked to vitrectomy:

• Further bleeding into the vitreous gel
• Retinal detachment
• Fluid buildup in the clear covering of the eye (corneal edema)
• Infection inside the eye (endophthalmitis)

What to Consider when opting for Vitrectomy Surgery

One of the main uses of vitrectomy is to remove blood from the middle of the eye, a condition called vitreous hemorrhage. When vitreous hemorrhage occurs, some doctors may recommend waiting several months to a year to see whether the vitreous gel will clear on its own before they do a surgery that can have serious complications.

But if the hemorrhage is causing severe vision loss or is preventing treatment of severe retinopathy, surgery may be done sooner rather than later. Some studies have shown that long-term results are better with early vitrectomy.

Read more about ways to repair a retinal detachment. 

How much does Vitrectomy Surgery Cost?

Vitrectomy or Vitroretineal Surgery can vary in pricing all over the world. For example, Vitrectomy price in Italy is of $12,000 and Vitrectomy cost in Mexico can be as low as $4,800.

Who performs Vitrectomy Surgery?

Vitrectomy is only performed by eye doctors who have special training in the surgical treatment of retina problems.

Learn more about your options for Vitrectomy Surgery Abroad. Click the button below!