Our Summary

This study investigates if there is a correlation between the reusing of surgical instruments and the incidence of post vitrectomy endophthalmitis (PVE), an eye infection that can occur after eye surgery, in different eye centers in India. The research found that the infection rate was 0.06%, which is within the global average. The study also found out that reusing surgical instruments did not increase the risk of infection. The majority of the centers changed most of their equipment after every operation, while some reused them. On average, a surgical cutter was used 4.7 times before it was discarded. The goal is to utilize this data to create future guidelines to aid in reducing costs, making eye surgery more accessible, and reducing the carbon footprint.

FAQs

  1. What was the purpose of this study on vitrectomy in India?
  2. Is there a correlation between reusing surgical instruments and the incidence of post-vitrectomy endophthalmitis (PVE)?
  3. How often on average was a surgical cutter reused before it was discarded according to the study?

Doctor’s Tip

A doctor might tell a patient undergoing vitrectomy to follow all post-operative care instructions carefully, including keeping the eye clean and avoiding any strenuous activity that could put strain on the eye. They may also advise the patient to attend all follow-up appointments to monitor for any signs of infection or complications. Additionally, the doctor may recommend maintaining good overall eye health through regular eye exams and a healthy lifestyle to support the healing process after surgery.

Suitable For

Patients who may be recommended vitrectomy include those with:

  • Retinal detachment
  • Macular hole
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Epiretinal membrane
  • Vitreous hemorrhage
  • Vitreomacular traction syndrome
  • Intraocular foreign body
  • Proliferative vitreoretinopathy
  • Endophthalmitis
  • Retinal vein occlusion

Timeline

Before Vitrectomy:

  1. Patient experiences symptoms such as blurred vision, floaters, flashes of light, or vision loss.
  2. Patient consults with an eye doctor who recommends vitrectomy surgery to treat conditions such as retinal detachment, macular hole, diabetic retinopathy, or vitreous hemorrhage.
  3. Patient undergoes pre-operative examinations and tests to assess their overall eye health and determine if they are a suitable candidate for vitrectomy surgery.

During Vitrectomy:

  1. Patient undergoes the vitrectomy surgery, which involves the removal of the vitreous gel from the eye and the repair of any retinal issues.
  2. The surgery is typically performed under local anesthesia, and the patient may experience some discomfort or pressure during the procedure.
  3. The surgery can take several hours to complete, depending on the complexity of the case.

After Vitrectomy:

  1. Patient may experience some discomfort, redness, swelling, or blurred vision in the days following the surgery.
  2. Patient is prescribed eye drops or medications to prevent infection and promote healing.
  3. Patient is advised to avoid strenuous activities, lifting heavy objects, or rubbing their eyes to prevent complications.
  4. Patient attends follow-up appointments with their eye doctor to monitor their recovery and assess the success of the surgery.
  5. Over time, the patient’s vision should gradually improve, and they may experience a significant improvement in their symptoms related to the underlying eye condition.

What to Ask Your Doctor

  1. What is the purpose of a vitrectomy procedure?
  2. What are the potential risks and complications associated with vitrectomy surgery?
  3. How long is the recovery period after vitrectomy surgery?
  4. Are there any alternative treatment options to vitrectomy that I should consider?
  5. How experienced are you in performing vitrectomy surgeries?
  6. Will I need to undergo any additional testing or evaluations before the surgery?
  7. How many times are surgical instruments typically reused during a vitrectomy procedure?
  8. What measures are taken to ensure the cleanliness and sterilization of surgical instruments during vitrectomy surgery?
  9. Are there any specific precautions I should take before and after the surgery to reduce the risk of infection?
  10. What is the expected success rate of vitrectomy surgery for my specific eye condition?

Reference

Authors: Shah PN, Mishra DK, Shanmugam MP, Agarwal M, Susvar P, Sen AC, Ramanjulu R, Dave V, Saravanan V, Kannan N, Sinha T, Sindal MD, Singh SR, Rajanna MK, Ayachit AG, Maitray A, Yadav NK, Balakrishnan D, Nigam E, Narula R, Khadar SMA, Atri N, Mittal S, Murthy H, Mahalingam PS, Pillai GS, Nagpal M, Walinjkar J, Gupta V, Kothari A; VRSI Study Group. Journal: Eye (Lond). 2023 Oct;37(14):2915-2920. doi: 10.1038/s41433-023-02430-1. Epub 2023 Feb 8. PMID: 36754984