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What was your experience with vitrectomy eye surgery?

Posted by slowmoe @slowmoe, Jan 30, 2025

Scans revealed I have a retina hole (maybe he said a macular hole) and the doc says I must get a vitrectomy to preserve my future eyesight. I've got a swirly spot in the center of my vision in one eye. I'm pretty scared about getting my eye cut. Would love to hear your experience and tips if you have had this surgery.

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slowmoe | @slowmoe | Apr 4 11:11am

I had the surgery done and had to spend 5 days head down with the gas bubble in my eye. It was pretty miserable, but I got through it OK. I was really prepared, so I survived with my sanity. I bought a face-down massage chair that had a little table to hold things to look down at without needing to look up. I spent most of the time in that chair watching shows on my iPad using Hulu and YouTube. My doctor said it was OK to sleep on my side and that was really helpful. It was a terrifying thing to face, but I am so glad to have gotten it done. My vision is not perfect now, but it is tremendously better. I'm happy to answer any questions you have.

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dogloverinfl | @dogloverinfl | Apr 4 3:04pm
In reply to @kaye46 "@dogloverinfl I cancelled an operation for removing a macular pucker. I live alone, and the thought..." + (show)
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@dogloverinfl I cancelled an operation for removing a macular pucker. I live alone, and the thought of having to keep my head down for at least 48 hours to a week terrified me. So I have to live with it until it gets so bad that I'll have no choice. I understand the longer you leave it, the harder it is for the surgeon to operate.

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@kaye46 So sorry to hear you cancelled the surgery. I was 63 when I had my surgery. It isn't difficult keeping your head down however if you work you would need at least 7-10 off for recovery. I was told I could sleep in my bed if I kept my head up and to the side. Yea right this was going to happen while I'm sleeping! I did try it after 3 days as it was difficult to sleep with my head down. If you do change your mind and go forward with surgery prepping meals before hand is beneficial specially if you live alone. Good luck.

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edie2716 | @edie2716 | Apr 4 3:56pm
In reply to @tlee126 "I’m facing vitrectomy + membrane peel for macular pucker, younger patient, looking for experiences Hi everyone...." + (show)
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I’m facing vitrectomy + membrane peel for macular pucker, younger patient, looking for experiences

Hi everyone. I’m 41F and was recently diagnosed with a macular pucker and scheduled for vitrectomy with membrane peel.

I’ve been experiencing increasing distortion and difficulty with fine detail, wavy lines on the Amsler grid, and the vision can’t be corrected with lenses.

My retina specialist recommended surgery before it progresses further.

A few things that make my situation a bit specific, and I’d love to hear from anyone with similar experiences:

∙ I’m younger than most patients I’ve seen post here (41). Did anyone have this surgery on the younger side? How was your recovery and long-term outcome?
∙ I had LASIK years ago. Did anyone have prior refractive surgery before their vitrectomy? Any complications or things to be aware of?
∙ I’m trying to understand realistic recovery. How long until you could drive, work on a computer, and generally function independently?
∙ Was a gas bubble used in your case, or just saline? How much did that affect your recovery difficulty?
∙ For those who had the ILM peel in addition to the ERM removal, did your surgeon discuss recurrence risk? How has your vision held up long-term?
∙ Any tips for the caregiver/partner role during recovery? Things you wish someone had done for you, or things that made the first week easier?

I’m feeling good about my surgeon, but hearing from people who’ve actually been through this would mean a lot to me. I’m especially interested in hearing from anyone who was under 50 at the time of surgery.

Thank you for any insight you can share.

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@tlee126 I had the sugery over 4 years ago due to a retinal detachment. I had to have gas bubble in my eye for 8 weeks and to keep my head down (like looking at my phone) and sleep on my left side for 10 days. You get use to looking down after a while. The gas bubble I never felt but it looks like a water line on your vision until it finally dissipates. You definitely need someone to help during the first ten days, (I’m married) FYI, I had RK years ago that was excellent.
After the surgery, I developed nerve damage and started feeling symptoms one week after the bubble dissipated. It took quite a while to get a diagnosis, Dr’s were treating it like dry eye. I still have symptoms after numerous treatments. To be frank, it feels like dry on steroids, most common symptoms are feeling that something is sitting on my eye, occasional aches and a sense that it wants to tear. I’m sure my outcome was very rare. Make sure you pick a very good Dr.

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