A vitrectomy repair involves going inside the eye, removing the vitreous jelly within the eye (and with it any floaters that you may be aware of), draining the fluid which has accumulated under the retina and sealing the retina down with either freezing treatment or laser treatment.

The retina is then held in place by either a gas or oil bubble. A gas bubble will take between 2 and 8 weeks to disappear and is absorbed spontaneously. With a gas bubble in the eye, it is vital that you do not fly until such time as it has absorbed. If an oil bubble is used within the eye then it has to be surgically removed at a later date.

With either gas or oil in your eye, you will be aware that the vision is impaired. The choice of gas or oil is dictated by the nature of the retinal detachment which is present. A vitrectomy operation may sometimes include a buckling procedure and this is performed in order to increase the chance of success of the surgery.