A vitrectomy is a microsurgical operation which involves going inside the back of the eye and removing the vitreous jelly as well as any scar tissue which may be inducing waterlogging.

There are probably a small group of patients in whom it is likely to have a beneficial role. It seems likely that patients in whom there is pulling on the retina by the vitreous jelly or scar tissue may be those most likely to benefit from this treatment. The results of recent studies on vitrectomy for diabetic macular oedema suggest that it is not going to work on all patients.