Vitrectomy is keyhole surgery inside the eye: the surgeon removes the clear jelly (the vitreous) so they can repair the retina behind it. In Istanbul, vitrectomy with Laser Istanbul Clinic is planned and performed by Doç. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer (Doç. = Associate Professor) or Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram. You know your surgeon before you book, you see the full price in writing, and a personal interpreter stays with you at every appointment.
A vitrectomy (pars plana vitrectomy) removes the vitreous gel through openings less than 1 mm wide so the surgeon can treat a macular hole, an epiretinal membrane, bleeding inside the eye, diabetic scar tissue or a retinal detachment. It is usually done under local anaesthetic and often takes 30–60 minutes. If a gas bubble is used, you cannot fly until it has gone. In Istanbul, Doç. Dr. Özer or Op. Dr. Bayram perform it from {{£ price}} per eye; hotel and transfers are extra.
A vitrectomy is an operation to remove the vitreous, the clear jelly that fills the back of the eye, so that a surgeon can reach and treat the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive layer lining the inside of the eye, and the vitreous sits directly in front of it. When the jelly is cloudy with blood, or when it pulls on the retina, removing it is often the only way to restore or protect vision.
The full name is pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). The pars plana is a narrow band of the eye wall just behind the coloured iris; according to EyeWiki (American Academy of Ophthalmology), the instruments go in 3–4 mm from the edge of the cornea, a spot where they can enter without touching the retina or the lens.
Is the vitreous needed? Not for sight once the eye is fully grown. During the operation the gel is replaced with a clear saline solution, and at the end the surgeon may leave a bubble of air, gas or silicone oil inside the eye to hold the retina in position while it heals.
Vitrectomy instruments are sized by gauge: the higher the number, the thinner the instrument. Small-gauge systems use trocar cannulas that EyeWiki describes as sutureless, with less discomfort and shorter operating times.
| Gauge | Instrument diameter | Usually |
|---|---|---|
| 20-gauge | 0.9 mm | Older standard; incisions closed with stitches |
| 23-gauge | 0.6 mm | Small-gauge, usually sutureless |
| 25-gauge | 0.5 mm | Small-gauge, usually sutureless |
| 27-gauge | 0.4 mm | Smallest common size (introduced in 2010) |
Wide-angle viewing systems now let the surgeon see up to about 130 degrees of the retina during surgery. The operation itself has a long track record: Robert Machemer performed the first closed-system vitrectomy in 1971, and the modern three-port technique dates from 1974.
Technology we use: {{vitrectomy system name and gauges used, e.g. "23/25/27-gauge"}}, a wide-angle viewing system, endolaser and {{tamponade options available: air / SF6 / C2F6 / C3F8 / silicone oil}}, in a fully equipped, Ministry of Health–licensed operating theatre in Istanbul.
Vitrectomy is done when a problem in the vitreous or on the surface of the retina cannot be treated from outside the eye. EyeWiki and the AAO list these as the main reasons:
| Condition | What is wrong | What the vitrectomy does |
|---|---|---|
| Macular hole | A small full-thickness hole in the macula, the centre of the retina used for reading and faces | Removes the gel and peels the retina's inner surface; a gas bubble helps the hole close |
| Epiretinal membrane (macular pucker) | A thin film of scar tissue wrinkles the macula, distorting and blurring vision | Removes the gel, then peels the membrane off the retina |
| Vitreomacular traction | The gel stays stuck to the macula and pulls on it | Releases the pull |
| Vitreous haemorrhage | Blood fills the gel and blocks vision | Clears the blood and treats its cause, often with laser |
| Proliferative diabetic retinopathy | Abnormal vessels bleed and scar tissue pulls on the retina (tractional detachment) | Removes blood and scar tissue, flattens the retina, adds laser |
| Retinal detachment | The retina has come away from the back of the eye | Removes the pulling gel, reattaches the retina, seals tears; gas or oil holds it |
| Endophthalmitis | Infection inside the eye | Removes infected gel and allows antibiotics to work |
| Cataract surgery complications | A dislocated lens implant or fragments of the natural lens in the vitreous | Retrieves or repositions them |
| Eye injury | Bleeding, retinal damage or a foreign body inside the eye | Repairs the damage and removes the object |
| Silicone oil removal | Oil left after earlier surgery | A second, usually shorter, operation removes it |
Diabetic bleeding: when is surgery needed? The NEI says a vitrectomy may be recommended "if your retina is bleeding a lot or you have a lot of scars in your eye". According to EyeWiki, proliferative diabetic retinopathy is one of the commonest causes of vitreous haemorrhage. In someone with known diabetic retinopathy who has already had laser treatment, waiting 3 to 6 months for the blood to clear may be reasonable; a new, dense bleed of unknown cause, or one with a retinal tear or detachment seen on an ultrasound scan, needs prompt vitrectomy. Many surgeons give an anti-VEGF injection 1–7 days before diabetic vitrectomy to shrink abnormal vessels and reduce bleeding.
Can vitrectomy remove floaters? Sometimes, but rarely. The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that severe floaters can be removed surgically, "but this has risks and is seldom necessary or recommended". Most floaters fade or become less noticeable. A sudden shower of new floaters or flashes is different: it can signal a retinal tear and needs an eye examination the same day.
Eye operations fall into a few broad groups depending on which part of the eye they treat. Vitrectomy is the core operation of retina surgery, the most delicate group:
| Type of eye surgery | Part of the eye | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Laser vision correction | Cornea (front window) | LASIK, SMILE, PRK |
| Lens surgery | Natural lens | Cataract surgery, lens replacement |
| Corneal surgery | Cornea | Cross-linking, corneal transplant |
| Glaucoma surgery | Drainage system | Laser, stents, trabeculectomy |
| Retina surgery | Vitreous and retina | Vitrectomy, scleral buckle, pneumatic retinopexy, retinal laser |
| Eyelid and squint surgery | Lids and eye muscles | Blepharoplasty, strabismus surgery |
Not every retina problem needs a vitrectomy. Retinal tears without detachment are usually sealed with laser in the clinic, wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular swelling are treated with injections, and some detachments are repaired with a buckle or a gas injection alone.
You may be a candidate for vitrectomy if a retina specialist has found a condition from the table above that is affecting your vision or is likely to. Your surgeon decides only after examining your retina and reviewing your scans. The key tests are:
Planned vitrectomy suits travel well. A macular hole, an epiretinal membrane, a non-clearing haemorrhage, diabetic scar tissue or silicone-oil removal is usually scheduled in advance, which gives time to send your scans, plan your dates and arrange to stay until you are allowed to fly.
When not to travel. If you suddenly notice new floaters, flashes, a dark curtain across your vision or a sudden drop in sight, the NHS advises an urgent eye assessment; do not delay to travel for treatment. A retinal detachment that threatens the centre of your vision, or an infection inside the eye, should be treated where you are, straight away. If you are already in Turkey, message us and we will arrange an urgent retina examination {{urgent appointment availability}}.
Before any vitrectomy, tell your surgeon about all your medicines (especially blood thinners), diabetes, previous eye surgery and whether you have flights booked, because a gas bubble changes your travel plans.
If your surgeon leaves gas in your eye, you must not fly, travel to high altitude or have nitrous oxide anaesthesia until the bubble has completely gone. At altitude the gas expands and can raise the eye pressure enough to cause severe pain and permanent loss of sight. This rule, more than the surgery itself, decides how long you need to stay in Istanbul.
| Tamponade | How long it usually lasts | Flying |
|---|---|---|
| Saline only (no bubble) | No bubble to wait for | Once your surgeon has checked the eye |
| Air | Up to about 2 weeks | Not until it has gone |
| SF6 gas | 2–4 weeks | Not until it has gone |
| C2F6 gas | 4–8 weeks | Not until it has gone |
| C3F8 gas | 6–12 weeks | Not until it has gone |
| Silicone oil | Stays until it is removed in a second operation | Usually after about 2 weeks, only with your surgeon's agreement |
Durations from NHS vitreoretinal patient guidance and EyeWiki; your surgeon tells you which tamponade your eye needs and why.
What you see through the bubble. Vision is very blurred while the eye is full of gas. As it is absorbed you see a wobbling line, like a spirit level, which moves lower until the bubble disappears.
Face-down positioning. After macular hole surgery, and after some detachment repairs, you may be asked to keep your head in a set position so the bubble presses on the right spot. NHS guidance for macular holes typically means face-down for 3 to 7 days, for 45–50 minutes of every hour during the day. Positioning is not always needed: in the studies summarised by EyeWiki, holes smaller than 400 microns closed in 96% of eyes without face-down positioning and 100% with it, while for larger holes the figures were 84% and 94%. Your surgeon tells you whether you need to posture, and for how long.
Nitrous oxide warning. Tell any doctor, dentist or anaesthetist that you have gas in your eye. Nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") makes the bubble expand dangerously. You will be given a wristband or card to show.
At Laser Istanbul Clinic, vitrectomy starts from {{£ price}} per eye. The final price depends on the condition being treated, the tamponade (gas or silicone oil), whether a membrane peel, laser or combined cataract surgery is needed, and whether a second operation to remove oil is planned. Your surgeon confirms the price in writing after reviewing your scans, before you book anything.
Typical published prices for vitrectomy, per eye (2025–26):
| Where | Typical price range |
|---|---|
| UK, private | about $8,000–13,400 |
| USA | about $8,000–14,000 |
| Istanbul (published package prices) | about $3,200–6,500 |
| Istanbul with Laser Istanbul Clinic | from {{£ price}} |
Typical ranges advertised by clinics and price-comparison sites in 2025–26, not quotes. Published Istanbul prices are often packages that include a hotel.
Not included: flights, hotel and airport transfers. Hotel and transfers are a separate charge, and we can arrange them for you if you ask. If your eye needs a gas bubble, plan and budget for a longer stay. If silicone oil needs to be removed later, that second operation is {{£ oil removal price}}.
Upload your eye report, OCT images, ultrasound and a list of your medicines. Our retina surgeon replies within {{response time}} with an opinion, the likely operation and a written quote.
Allow {{typical stay}} in Istanbul. If a gas bubble is likely, plan to stay until you are cleared to fly; your surgeon explains the options for your eye before you book.
Dilated examination, OCT, ultrasound if needed, eye pressure and a check of the other eye. Your surgeon confirms the plan, explains the risks in writing and answers your questions through your interpreter.
Most vitrectomies are done under local anaesthetic: the eye is numbed and you are awake but comfortable. The operation often takes 30 to 60 minutes, and longer for complex diabetic or detachment surgery. You go back to your hotel the same day with a pad and shield over the eye.
If you have gas in your eye, follow the positioning your surgeon gives you. You use antibiotic and anti-inflammatory drops, and sometimes pressure-lowering drops.
Your surgeon checks your eye the next day and again before you leave, and tells you when it is safe to fly.
Your coordinator stays in touch and your surgeon reviews your progress by video. We send a written report for your eye doctor at home.
Most eyes heal in two to six weeks after vitrectomy, and vision can keep improving for many months, sometimes up to a year. How fast you recover depends mainly on why you had the operation and whether gas was used.
Pad and shield on the eye. Vision is very blurred if there is a gas bubble; this is normal.
A scratchy, gritty feeling is common and usually settles within 7–14 days. Use your drops exactly as prescribed and wear the shield at night. Position if advised.
Most people need at least two weeks off work, longer for physical jobs.
The eye heals and redness fades. A gas bubble shrinks and disappears (2–12 weeks depending on the gas).
After epiretinal membrane surgery, vision gradually improves in 70–80% of patients over this period.
Vision after macular hole surgery can keep improving for many months. A new glasses prescription often helps once the eye has settled.
Reading and watching TV do not harm the eye. Call your coordinator straight away if you have severe pain, increasing redness, or a sudden drop in vision.
Vitrectomy is usually successful, but it is major eye surgery and the risks are real. The figures below come from NHS patient guidance for the two most common planned vitrectomies and from EyeWiki.
Cataract: the most likely side effect. If you still have your natural lens, a cataract is very likely to develop in the operated eye; a 2023 review reports cataract in about 72% of eyes after modern small-gauge vitrectomy. It is treated with routine cataract surgery when it affects your vision.
After epiretinal membrane surgery, NHS guidance gives a 2–5% chance of reduced vision and a 1 in 1,000 chance of total loss of vision in that eye. Estimates of the membrane coming back range from about 1% (EyeWiki) to about 10% (NHS guidance).
Also possible: raised eye pressure, bleeding inside the eye, swelling of the macula (cystoid macular oedema), low eye pressure, retinal tears during surgery, and inflammation or bruising of the eye and eyelids.
Your surgeon explains your personal risks in writing and through your interpreter before you sign anything. Tell any eye doctor in future that you have had a vitrectomy.
A vitrectomy is keyhole surgery that removes the vitreous gel from inside the eye so the surgeon can treat the retina. It is used for macular holes, epiretinal membranes, bleeding inside the eye, diabetic scar tissue, retinal detachment and infection. The gel is replaced with saline, and sometimes with a gas or oil bubble.
It is a delicate operation inside the eye, but you do not stay in hospital and the openings are tiny. Most vitrectomies are done under local anaesthetic, so you are awake but your eye is numb and you feel no pain. General anaesthetic is sometimes used for longer or complex operations.
A straightforward vitrectomy, such as for a macular hole, often takes about 30 to 60 minutes. Complex diabetic or detachment surgery can take longer; the AAO says surgery can take from one to several hours. You go home the same day.
The eye usually heals in two to six weeks, and most people need at least two weeks off work. Vision can keep improving for months, sometimes up to a year. If you have a gas bubble, vision stays blurred until it is absorbed.
Not while there is any gas in your eye: depending on the gas, that is about 2 to 12 weeks. With silicone oil, flying is usually possible after about 2 weeks with your surgeon's agreement. If only saline was used, you can fly once your surgeon has checked the eye.
Only if your surgeon asks you to. Face-down positioning is most often used after macular hole surgery, typically for 3 to 7 days for 45–50 minutes of every hour. For smaller macular holes, studies show high closure rates without strict face-down positioning, so your surgeon decides case by case.
If you still have your natural lens, it is very likely: a 2023 review found cataract in about 72% of eyes after modern small-gauge vitrectomy. Cataract surgery afterwards is routine and usually restores the clarity lost to the cataract.
It can, but the American Academy of Ophthalmology says surgery for floaters has risks and is seldom necessary or recommended. Most floaters become less noticeable with time. A sudden increase in floaters or new flashes needs an eye examination the same day.
The commonest is cataract. NHS guidance for macular hole surgery gives a retinal detachment risk of about 1 to 2 in 100, infection about 1 in 2,000 and vision worse than before in fewer than 1 in 50. Your surgeon explains your personal risks before you decide.
Published prices for vitrectomy in Istanbul are about $3,200–6,500 per eye, compared with about $8,000–14,000 privately in the UK or USA. With Laser Istanbul Clinic it starts from {{£ price}} per eye, including examination and scans, surgery, medication, follow-up checks, interpreter and coordinator. Hotel and transfers are extra.
Vitrectomy is performed by Doç. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer, an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology whose work covers medical and surgical retina, or Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram, whose focus includes retinal disease. You know your surgeon's name before you book.
We met Dr. Derda after the lens dropped following a cataract operation performed by another doctor. He successfully performed a very risky vitrectomy operation. In my mother's words, he has a very light touch and is a magnificent surgeon.
Source: WUPDoc · translated from Turkish
I went to Dr Derda for emergency surgery for a detached retina. He saw me immediately, diagnosed me, and fully explained my options. The surgery was painless and efficient, and I am very happy with my follow up treatment. I fully recommend Dr Derda and his team.
Source: WUPDoc
Vitrectomy is one of several retina treatments. These are the ones most often discussed alongside it:
| Vitrectomy | Argon laser (photocoagulation) | Intravitreal injections | Retinal detachment surgery | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Treats | Macular hole, epiretinal membrane, bleeding inside the eye, diabetic scar tissue, detachment | Retinal tears and lattice before detachment; diabetic retinopathy | Wet AMD, diabetic macular oedema, vein occlusion | Detached retina (vitrectomy, buckle or gas injection) |
| Where it is done | Operating theatre | Clinic, minutes | Clinic, minutes | Operating theatre |
| Recovery | 2–6 weeks; longer stay if a gas bubble is used | A day or two | Same day; repeated doses | 2–6 weeks; longer stay if a gas bubble is used |
How detachments are repaired with vitrectomy, a scleral buckle or a gas injection, and what recovery looks like.
Retinal detachment surgerySeals a torn retina before it detaches and treats abnormal diabetic vessels, often avoiding surgery.
Argon laser (retinal laser photocoagulation)For wet macular degeneration and diabetic macular swelling, and sometimes given before diabetic vitrectomy.
Intravitreal injections (anti-VEGF eye injections)Injections for wet AMD and the Scharioth macula lens for advanced dry AMD.
Macular degeneration treatment and the Scharioth macula lensSend us your eye report, OCT or ultrasound images. Doç. Dr. Özer or Op. Dr. Bayram will tell you what your scans show, whether vitrectomy or another treatment suits you, how long you would need to stay in Istanbul and what it would cost, with no obligation. If your symptoms are new or sudden, get seen locally first.
Your case is reviewed by a named surgeon, not a salesperson. Reply within {{response time}}.
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Satıcı
Doç. Dr. Muhammet Derda Özer
Op. Dr. Aysan Bayram
