The vitreous is the clear, jelly-like substance in the center of the eye. For you to see clearly, the vitreous must be perfectly clear. With various diseases, it can become cloudy, scarred, or filled with blood or debris, which impairs your vision.

In a vitrectomy, a surgeon makes a small cut in the sclera, the white part of your eye, and suctions out the vitreous. The vitreous is replaced with a saline solution, silicone oil or gas.

After the surgery, you may need to take antibiotic drops to prevent infection and wear an eye patch for a day or two. You may also need to avoid air travel for a short period of time. Your physician will explain any precautions.

Conditions that this treatment is offered for:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Retinal detachment
• Eye infection
• Eye injury
• Vitreous hemorrhage