Vitrectomy Week 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.

Week 1 is usually the hardest stretch, because positioning is still in force for most gas-bubble patients. AAO tells patients to stay face-down or sideways when they stand, sit, eat, walk, and sleep unless their surgeon says otherwise, and warns that the surgery may not work if you do not recover in the recommended position.

Rental equipment makes this much easier. AAO describes face-down chairs with head and neck support, tabletop face cradles, pillows with a face cutout, and angled mirrors so you can see a screen while staying face-down.

The bubble is usually still large this week. If plain air was used, StatPearls notes it typically clears in about 5 to 7 days, so some patients see the bubble drop noticeably by the end of week 1. SF6 usually takes about 1 to 2 weeks and C3F8 about 6 to 8 weeks.

Usually normal at this stage

large dark bubble across most of the vision
grittiness that is slowly easing
redness that is fading but still visible
neck and back soreness from positioning
watering
vision that changes as you move your head

Still off-limits

continue assigned positioning for as many hours a day as your surgeon specified
continue drops
keep water and soap out of the eye when washing
no swimming or hot tubs
absolutely no flights, high altitude, or scuba diving
no nitrous oxide for any procedure

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

Positioning After Retinal Surgery American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.
Agents for Vitreous Tamponade (StatPearls) StatPearls Publishing / NCBI Bookshelf. Accessed 2026-08-25.
What Is Vitrectomy? American Academy of Ophthalmology. Accessed 2026-08-25.

Vitrectomy Week 1: What to Expect

Usually normal at this stage

Still off-limits

More on vitrectomy recovery

Sources