Retina — surgery
Vitrectomy is the standard operation for reaching the retina: the vitreous gel that fills the eye is removed in order to treat a membrane, a haemorrhage or a detachment. Everything goes through three micro-openings in the wall of the eye (the pars plana), with no large opening and without touching the crystalline lens. Follow the four steps.
Cross-section of the eye — surgical view
Vitrectomy takes place in the operating theatre, most often under local anaesthesia. Depending on the indication, at the end of the procedure the cavity is filled with fluid, a gas bubble or silicone oil; the vitreous gel that is removed does not re-form and is not missed by the eye.
Educational diagram — Dr Moïse Tourabaly, ophthalmologist. For information only; it does not replace an examination.