Vitreous Heamorrhage

Yes. Modern day surgery is very safe. Micro instruments are used where indicated, creating self sealing wounds, leading to post-op comfort and quick post-op recovery.

It’s more uncomfortable than cataract surgery. Keyhole surgery (sutureless) smaller gauge incisions are more comfortable and you can go to your normal life in two weeks.

Yes. Retinal detachment or re-detachment, low eye pressure, high eye pressure, bleeding or re bleeding, infection and loss of vision.

This is crucial. You will often be “postured” in a position that will facilitate quick healing of retinal breaks by placing a bubble of gas or silicone oil up against retinal breaks. This usually takes two weeks. Failure to posture may lead to surgical failure.

If expansible gas is used which can be short term (two weeks) or longer acting (six to eight weeks) flying and or travelling to a higher altitude will cause gas to expand and lead to visual loss. Patients with silicone oil as an internal bandage can travel freely but should always check with your doctor.

It diffuses away slowly through the walls of the eye and is replaced by aqueous humour over a period of two or six to eight weeks depending on the type of gas used.

This requires a second procedure in a safe sterile environment in theater. Your doctor will decide on the timing of surgery.

No. This is usually due to manipulation of tissues during the operation and usually clears in two weeks.

This may be due to stitches (sutures) placed by your doctor or may be due to slight swelling of layers of the eye post –op.

This depends on a number of things:

• Indication for surgery
• Timing for surgery - patients who present early do well
• Your general health if diabetic, control of diabetes and associated end-organ failure if any
• Younger patients are more difficult to operate on (peadiataric) and have poor visual outcomes

This is a century old conundrum but vitrectomised eyes can bleed. Importantly we don’t know why they bleed but uncontrolled blood pressure is a known risk factor. Your doctor can inject you with antiVEGF and titrate laser if there is room for more.

No. Your blood thinners are more important for your overall health – do not stop taking your blood thinners unless if told by your doctor to do so.