Vitrectomy Day 1: What to Expect

General information about typical recovery, not medical advice. Every eye and every surgery is different, and your surgeon's instructions override anything on this page. Read our full disclaimer.

Day 1 is usually your first post-op visit. The patch comes off in the office, your surgeon checks the retina and the eye pressure, and you find out how long you need to hold your position.

Vision on day 1 is typically very poor if a gas bubble was placed. That is expected. You are essentially looking through a bubble. AAO explains the bubble is there to hold the retina in position while it heals and that it goes away on its own.

AAO notes that a scratchy, sandy, or gritty sensation, as if something is inside the eye, is common, and that it fades with the medicines and time. ASRS adds that severe pain is uncommon after vitrectomy unless there is unusual inflammation or high eye pressure.

Usually normal at this stage

very blurry or dark vision in the operated eye
seeing a black dome, line, or moving bubble edge
scratchy, sandy, gritty feeling
redness and lid swelling
watering and light sensitivity
mild ache around the eye

Still off-limits

hold the exact head position your surgeon assigned
wear the patch or shield as directed, usually a few days
no rubbing or pressing on the eye
start the prescribed drops on schedule
no flying, mountain travel, or scuba diving while gas is in the eye
no nitrous oxide anesthesia, and tell any dentist or ER staff you have an eye gas bubble

Call your surgeon now if you notice any of these

Pain that keeps increasing, or pain not relieved by your prescribed drops. ASRS notes severe pain is uncommon after vitrectomy unless there is unusual inflammation or high eye pressure
A sudden decrease or loss of vision, or vision that was improving and then clearly gets worse
A new dark shadow or gray curtain moving across any part of your vision
A sudden burst of many new floaters, or new flashing lights, which NEI and AAO list as emergency signs of retinal detachment
Signs of very high eye pressure: a deep hard ache with nausea or vomiting, halos around lights, or severe pain. StatPearls lists raised intraocular pressure as a known complication of gas tamponade
Signs of infection: worsening redness, thick yellow or green discharge, swelling that is getting worse, or increasing pain. ASRS lists infection among the possible complications of vitrectomy
Any time a doctor, dentist, or paramedic is about to give you anesthesia while you still have a gas bubble. Tell them you have intraocular gas and that nitrous oxide must not be used. ASRS states that nitrous gas anesthesia should be strictly avoided when a gas bubble has been used
Any pressure to fly, travel to altitude, or dive before your surgeon has confirmed the bubble is gone. AAO warns this can cause severe pain, permanent vision loss, or even blindness

These warning signs after vitrectomy can point to problems that need same-day care. Do not wait for your next scheduled visit. If you cannot reach your surgeon's office, use their on-call line, or go to an emergency room.

Sources: American Society of Retina Specialists; American Academy of Ophthalmology; National Eye Institute (NIH); StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf

Sources

What Is Vitrectomy? American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Vitrectomy American Society of Retina Specialists. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Positioning After Retinal Surgery American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
What Happens During a Vitrectomy? American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.

Vitrectomy Day 1: What to Expect

Usually normal at this stage

Still off-limits

More on vitrectomy recovery

Sources