This surgery removes the jelly in the back of the eye. We call it the "vitreous humor." It may need to be removed because it's cloudy, or to let your surgeon fix a problem with your retina.
To begin, your eye is numbed. You may be given medicine to help you relax. You may be put to sleep. Your eyelid is held open with a tool called a speculum. The surgeon makes a few small openings in the white part of your eye. That's so a light and instruments can be inserted.
The surgeon uses an instrument called a "vitrectomy probe" (also known as a "vitrector") to remove the vitreous humor. Once it's gone, the surgeon may inject saline or a bubble of oil or air to help keep your retina in place. Your eye will replace this with natural fluids as it heals.
When the surgery is done, the instruments are removed. Commonly, the openings in the eye seal shut by themselves without sutures. You may need to temporarily maintain a certain head or eye position. Follow all of your surgeon's instructions as you recover.