Pars Plana Vitrectomy:2,3,5,6

  • PPV is a surgical procedure that removes the vitreous gel to eliminate or reduce the effect of vitreous opacities on visual function. Advancements in the procedure have made this procedure faster and decreased the risk profile.
  • Contraindications:
    • Infection
    • Ocular tumor
  • Consideration:
    • Presence of an ERM
      • Vitreoretinal surgeons may consider performing an ERM peel with the vitrectomy. This is surgeon dependent.
    • Presence of PVD
      • Though a PVD can be surgically induced, it increases the risk of a retinal detachment during a pars plana vitrectomy, as discussed previously.
  • Risk:
    • Retinal detachment
      • The risk of RD is much lower for patients with a natural posterior vitreous detachment compared to patients who have surgically induced PVD, reported rates are 3.1% and 12.7% respectively.
    • Endophthalmitis
    • Accelerated cataract formation
      • Some ophthalmologists choose to leave a few milliliters of vitreous behind the lens to decrease the risk of cataract formation in phakic patients. This allows the antioxidants in the vitreous to reduce chances of oxidative damage to the lens.