The risks of severe complications are very low. Complications include:   

  • Retinal detachment. The risk of this is less than 1% but if it occurs, further surgery  will be required to prevent visual loss 
  • Cataract development. This is where the natural lens in the eye becomes cloudy, and is required in majority of patients within 2 years of initial vitrectomy surgery. When cataract surgery is performed, this does also provide an opportunity for correcting any pre-existing refractive error such as short- or long-sightedness or astigmatism.  
  • Blindness in the affected eye due to post-operative infection or bleeding during the operation. The risk of this is extremely low (< 1 in 1000 cases)  
  • High or low eye pressure after the operation. This is usually temporary 
  • Temporary inflammation in the eye which is usually readily treated with drops 
  • Temporary bruising and swelling around the eyelids 
  • Lid drooping which may very rarely persist 
  • Possible allergy to drops 
  • Double vision which is usually very temporary 
  • Non-closure of the FTMH (< 5%) which may warrant further surgery