For a patient, the operating theatre can feel like the most mysterious part of eye surgery.

Before the procedure, there are examinations, scans, conversations, and instructions. Afterward, there are eye drops, follow-up visits, and recovery.

But what actually happens between those two moments?

Vitrectomy is a procedure used to manage certain conditions affecting the vitreous and retina at the back of the eye. While every operation is different, understanding what happens inside the OT can make the process feel less unfamiliar.

Before the Procedure Begins

By the time a patient reaches the operating theatre, much of the important work has already happened.

The eye has been examined, the retinal condition assessed, and the treatment plan discussed. Before surgery begins, the surgical team confirms important details, including the patient, the eye being treated, and the planned procedure.

For the patient, there may still be one question:

💬 PATIENT QUESTION
“Doctor, what exactly are you going to do inside my eye?”

The answer depends on why the vitrectomy is being performed.

Vitrectomy may be considered for certain retinal or vitreous conditions where the surgeon needs access to the back of the eye. The exact surgical steps are determined by the problem being treated.

Inside the OT: Working Through Tiny Openings

Once the eye has been prepared for surgery, the surgeon works through very small openings to access the inside of the eye.

🔎 INSIDE THE OT
Vitrectomy is microsurgery. The surgeon works within a very small space, using specialized instruments and magnified visualization to see the structures inside the eye.

One of the key steps is removing the vitreous—the gel-like substance that fills much of the eye.

Removing the vitreous can allow the surgeon to reach the retina and perform the treatment required for that particular condition.

But removing the vitreous is not necessarily the end of the operation.

In fact, it may only be the beginning.

What Happens After the Vitreous Is Removed?

This depends entirely on what needs to be treated.

The surgeon may need to address retinal traction, blood inside the eye, retinal tears, membranes, or other abnormalities. Laser treatment may be used in some procedures.

In certain cases, gas or silicone oil may also be placed inside the eye to provide internal support while the retina heals.

This is why two patients who both undergo a vitrectomy may have very different experiences.

💬 PATIENT QUESTION
“Does everyone have the same vitrectomy surgery?”

No.

Vitrectomy describes an important part of the procedure, but the complete operation is tailored to the retinal condition and findings in the individual eye.

Surgery Is More Than Following Steps

Patients often imagine surgery as a fixed sequence: step one, step two, step three.

Retinal surgery can be more dynamic.

The surgeon begins with a plan based on the examination and imaging performed before surgery. During the operation, the structures inside the eye are viewed directly, and those findings help guide the procedure.

🔎 SURGEON’S VIEW
The goal is not simply to complete a predetermined list of steps. The surgeon must continually assess the eye and perform what is appropriate for the retinal condition being treated.

This combination of planning, visualization, microsurgical technique, and decision-making is an important part of working inside the eye.

What Happens When Surgery Is Finished?

Once the necessary treatment has been completed, the procedure comes to an end—but the patient’s care does not.

The first conversation afterward often starts with:

💬 PATIENT QUESTION
“Doctor, how did the surgery go?”

The treating team can explain what was done and what the patient should expect during the initial recovery period.

Vision may be blurred after surgery, and recovery varies according to the condition and procedure performed. If gas or silicone oil has been used, this can also affect what the patient sees during recovery.

Postoperative instructions may include eye drops, activity precautions, positioning, and follow-up appointments.

From the OT to Recovery

For the patient, vitrectomy may be remembered as the time spent in the operating theatre.

For the eye specialist, however, the procedure is part of a much longer process: diagnosis, planning, surgery, postoperative assessment, and recovery.

Dr. Sonam Angmo Garg evaluates retinal conditions and helps patients understand the treatment options appropriate for their individual eye condition. When surgical care is required, clear communication before and after the procedure remains an important part of the patient journey.

🩺 AFTER SURGERY
Follow the postoperative instructions provided by your treating surgical team. If you experience a sudden change in vision, significant pain, or another concerning symptom after eye surgery, contact your treating team promptly.

The operating theatre may be the part patients see the least.

But inside the OT, careful planning becomes precise action—one small step at a time, inside one of the most delicate parts of the eye.