What is it?
The vitreous is the clear jelly that fills the inside of the eye. In some diseases it fills with blood, pulls on the retina, or becomes the scaffold for scar tissue. A vitrectomy removes this jelly through three tiny openings in the white of the eye, about the width of a needle, so that the surgeon can work directly on the retina.
Modern vitrectomy uses 23, 25 or 27-gauge instruments, so the openings usually seal without stitches. The eye then fills with clear fluid made by the eye itself; you do not miss the jelly.
Who needs a vitrectomy
- Retinal detachment, especially with scar tissue or bleeding
- Vitreous haemorrhage (blood in the jelly) that does not clear in a few weeks
- Advanced diabetic retinopathy with traction on the retina
- Macular hole and epiretinal membrane (wrinkled retina)
- A dropped lens fragment after cataract surgery
- Eye infection (endophthalmitis) or a foreign body inside the eye
If you have been told you need a vitrectomy for a detachment, a dropped lens or an infection, it should be done within days. For a macular hole or membrane, planned surgery in the next few weeks is normal.
Call +91 98306 66650How it is diagnosed
- Dilated retina examination
- OCT scan of the macula
- B-scan ultrasound if blood or cataract blocks the view
- Blood sugar, blood pressure and a physician's fitness check for diabetic patients
Treatment options
Gas tamponade (SF6 or C3F8)
A gas bubble presses the retina flat and slowly absorbs over 2 to 8 weeks. Needs positioning; no air travel until it is gone.
Silicone oil
Used for complex or recurrent detachments. Holds the retina for months and lets you fly, but needs a second, shorter operation to remove it.
Combined with cataract surgery
If a cataract is present or likely, both can be done in one sitting, saving a second operation.
Endolaser and membrane peeling
Laser to seal tears or treat diabetic retina, and peeling of membranes from the macula, are done during the same vitrectomy.
What happens, step by step
- Before
Scans, fitness check and a written estimate. Continue your usual medicines unless told otherwise; blood thinners are discussed in advance.
- On the day
Local anaesthesia, day-care admission. The operation takes about 45 to 90 minutes.
- After
A pad overnight, first check the next morning, drops for 4 to 6 weeks, and positioning if gas or oil was used.
Recovery timeline
- Day 1
Eye patch removed, drops start. Light reading and walking at home are fine.
- Weeks 1 to 4
Avoid heavy lifting, swimming and dusty work. Vision through gas is very blurry and improves as the bubble shrinks.
- Months 1 to 3
Final vision settles. A cataract can develop in the following year in people who still have their natural lens.
Vitrectomy surgery cost in Kolkata
At Spectra, vitrectomy starts from ₹22,000–25,000 per eye. Gas, silicone oil, extra instruments, and a combined cataract lens add to this, and your estimate lists each item. Across Kolkata, vitrectomy usually costs ₹40,000 to ₹1,20,000 per eye, and combined vitrectomy with cataract surgery ₹50,000 to ₹1,20,000.
| Treatment / test | At Spectra | Typical Kolkata range |
|---|---|---|
| Vitrectomyper eye | from ₹22,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹1,20,000 |
| Vitrectomy combined with cataract surgeryper eye | Written estimate | ₹50,000 – ₹1,20,000 |
| Retinal detachment surgeryper eye | from ₹22,000 – ₹25,000 | ₹40,000 – ₹1,50,000 |
| Macular hole surgery (vitrectomy + ILM peel + gas)per eye | Written estimate | ₹40,000 – ₹90,000 |
| Silicone oil removalper eye | Written estimate | ₹15,000 – ₹40,000 |
| B-scan ultrasound of the eyeper test | ₹1,000 | ₹800 – ₹1,500 |
Spectra prices are those published by Spectra Eye Hospital. Kolkata ranges are indicative 2026 ranges across private eye hospitals in the city. Your final cost depends on the eye, the medicine, and the gas, oil or lens used, and is given to you in writing before any procedure.
Cashless and government schemes
Retina specialists for vitrectomy surgery
Dr. Subhajit Das
MBBS, DO, MS (Ophthalmology), FICO, FMRF
25+ years in medical and surgical retina, 7,500+ retinal procedures, vitreo-retina fellowship at Sankara Nethralaya (FMRF), ZEISS trained.
- Retinal detachment surgery
- Vitrectomy
- Scleral buckle
- Anti-VEGF injections
Dr. Aniruddha Maiti
MBBS, DO, DNB, FVRS, FICO, MRCS (Edinburgh), FACS
10,000+ vitreo-retinal operations since 2008, former Head of Retina at Susrut Eye Foundation, ASRS Honor Award recipient.
- Macular hole & ERM surgery
- Complex retinal detachment
- Diabetic vitrectomy
- Anti-VEGF & Ozurdex
Dr. Bishwanath Dutta Chowdhury
MBBS, DO, DNB, VR Fellowship
Fellowship-trained retina surgeon at Madhyamgram for retinal detachment, diabetic retinopathy and macular degeneration.
- Retina & vitreous surgery
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
- Uveitis
Dr. Subijoy Sinha
MBBS, MD
Retina and vitreous specialist for diabetic retinopathy, macular degeneration and medical retina at Madhyamgram.
- Medical retina
- Retina & vitreous
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
Dr. Swarup Pathak
MBBS, MS
Retina and vitreous specialist at Madhyamgram, also seeing uveitis, neuro-ophthalmology and squint.
- Medical retina
- Retina & vitreous
- Diabetic retinopathy
- Macular degeneration
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of vitrectomy in Kolkata?
At Spectra Eye Hospital vitrectomy starts from ₹22,000–25,000 per eye. Across Kolkata the usual range is ₹40,000 to ₹1,20,000. Silicone oil, gas, and a combined cataract operation change the final figure, so ask for a written estimate.
Is vitrectomy painful?
No. It is done under local anaesthesia, so you are awake but the eye is numb. Most people feel only pressure. After surgery, mild aching is controlled with tablets.
How long does it take to recover?
Most people go home the same day and return to desk work in 1 to 2 weeks. If gas is used, vision stays blurry until it absorbs, in 2 to 8 weeks.
Do I need to lie face-down?
Only if your surgeon puts gas or oil in the eye for a macular hole or certain detachments. It is usually needed for 3 to 7 days.
Will vitrectomy cause cataract?
In people over about 50 who still have their own lens, cataract often develops within a year or two. It is then removed with routine cataract surgery, or both are done together from the start.
Related
Written by the retina team at Spectra Eye Hospital. Last updated 22 October 2026. This page explains common situations and is not a substitute for an eye examination.