Vitrectomy - Additional Surgical Steps

Additional Surgical Steps

Additional surgical steps involved as part of modern vitrectomy surgeries may include:

Membranectomy – removal of layers of unhealthy tissue from the retina with minute instruments such as forceps (tiny grasping tools), picks (miniature hooks), and visco-discection (separating layers or tissue with jets of fluid.)

Fluid-air exchange – injection of air into the eye to remove the intraocular fluid from the posterior segment of the globe while maintaining intraocular pressure to temporarily hold the retina in place or seal off holes in the retina. The air pressure is temporary as the posterior segment will soon re-fill with fluid.

Air-gas exchange – injection of gas, or more typically mixed gas and air, into the posterior segment of the globe. Typical gases used are perfluoropropane or sulfur hexafluoride. The gases are mixed with air to neutralize their expansive properties to provide for a longer acting (than air alone) retinal tamponade. The retinal tamponade acts to hold the retina in place or temporarily seal off holes in the retina. The mixed gases disappear spontaneously once they have accomplished their purpose and the posterior segment re-fills with fluid.

Silicone oil injection – filling of the eye with liquid silicone to hold the retina in place.

Photocoagulation – laser treatment to seal off holes in the retina or to shrink unhealthy, damaging blood vessels which grow in some diseases such as diabetes.

Scleral buckling – placement of a support positioned like a belt around the walls of the eyeball to maintain the retina in a proper, attached position.

Lensectomy – removal of the lens in the eye when it is cloudy (cataract) or if it is attached to scar tissue.