SurgeryGas bubble precautions
After Pars Plana Vitrectomy
General recovery education after vitrectomy surgery.
Medical disclaimer
This guidance is general patient education. Always follow the specific instructions given by your own surgeon or eye doctor — they take priority over anything on this page.
Do
- Follow all surgeon instructions.
- Maintain face-down or head positioning if instructed.
- Use prescribed drops exactly as directed.
- Attend all follow-up appointments.
- Ask whether there is a gas bubble in the eye and what precautions are needed.
- Ask whether silicone oil was used, whether it will need removal later, and when that should happen.
- Have your eye pressure checked regularly if your surgeon recommends it.
- Do not let water enter your eye for 14 days after surgery or an eye procedure unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
- During showering or face washing, you may use protective waterproof goggles, such as swimming or diving-style goggles, to help prevent water from entering the eye. Make sure they do not press hard on the eye.
Don't
- Do not fly or travel to high altitude if you have a gas bubble unless your surgeon says it is safe.
- Do not rub or press on the eye.
- Do not skip positioning instructions.
- Do not do strenuous activity until cleared.
- Do not get water, soap, shampoo, conditioner, or face wash in the eye.
- Do not swim, use hot tubs, or expose the eye to dirty water until cleared.
- Do not let the eye drop bottle tip touch your eyelashes, eyelids, eye surface, fingers, skin, or any surface. Touching the bottle tip can contaminate the drops.
About your eye drops
- Use prescribed drops exactly as directed.
- Do not let the eye drop bottle tip touch your eyelashes, eyelids, eye surface, fingers, skin, or any surface. Touching the bottle tip can contaminate the drops.
Water & washing
- Do not let water enter your eye for 14 days after surgery or an eye procedure unless your doctor gives you different instructions.
- During showering or face washing, keep the eye closed and avoid direct water, soap, shampoo, or face wash entering the eye.
- During showering or face washing, you may use protective waterproof goggles, such as swimming or diving-style goggles, to help prevent water from entering the eye. Make sure they do not press hard on the eye.
Normal things you may notice
- Blurry vision during recovery
- Mild discomfort
- Redness
- Floaters or shadows that may change as the eye heals
- Vision changes if a gas bubble is present
Warning signs — contact the clinic urgently
- Severe pain
- Sudden worsening vision
- Increasing redness
- New flashes or many floaters
- Curtain or shadow in vision
- Severe headache or nausea with eye pain
- Discharge or severe swelling
- Water, soap, shampoo, or dirty water entered the eye and symptoms worsen
- Eye trauma, strong rubbing, or pressure to the eye
When to call the clinic
- If pain is severe or worsening.
- If vision suddenly decreases.
- If positioning cannot be maintained.
- If there is concern about gas bubble restrictions.
- If silicone oil is in the eye and you were not told when it should be removed.
- If you develop symptoms of high eye pressure such as pain, headache, halos, nausea, or worse vision.
- If warning signs appear.
- If water or chemicals entered the eye and symptoms worsen.
- If the eye was rubbed strongly, bumped, pressed, or injured.
Have questions about your eyes?
This information is general education and does not replace a professional eye examination. If you are worried about your eyes, book an appointment.