Informed Consent for Vitreoretinal Surgery (Vitrectomy)
Informed Consent for Vitreoretinal Surgery (Vitrectomy)
Patient and Surgical Information
Nature and Purpose of the Procedure
Pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) is a microsurgical procedure performed inside the eye under local retrobulbar anesthesia or general anesthesia. It is indicated for conditions such as retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, macular hole, epiretinal membrane, and diabetic tractional retinal detachment. The surgeon makes three microscopic incisions in the sclera (the white of the eye) to insert instruments: a light pipe, an infusion cannula to maintain eye pressure, and a vitractor to cut and remove the vitreous gel (the jelly filling the eye). Once the vitreous is removed, the surgeon can repair the retina using lasers, cryotherapy (freezing), or micro-forceps to peel tractional membranes. At the end of the procedure, a temporary bubble of air, gas (such as SF6 or C3F8), or silicone oil is injected into the vitreous cavity (tamponade) to hold the retina flat against the back wall of the eye while it heals. The procedure typically takes 45 to 90 minutes.
Postoperative Tamponade and Positioning Requirements
If a gas or silicone oil tamponade is used, the bubble floats to the top of the eye. To hold the retina in place, you must maintain a specific head position (usually face-down or side-lying) for 20 to 24 hours a day for a period of 5 to 14 days following surgery. Failure to comply with these positioning instructions may cause the surgery to fail, resulting in permanent loss of vision. CRITICAL: If you have a gas bubble in your eye, you must not travel by airplane, ascend to high altitudes, or receive nitrous oxide anesthesia, as the drop in atmospheric pressure will cause the gas bubble to expand rapidly, resulting in extreme intraocular pressure, severe pain, and permanent blindness. The gas bubble will be absorbed by your body over 2 to 8 weeks. If silicone oil is used, it is not absorbed and must be surgically removed in a separate procedure, typically 3 to 6 months later.
Material Risks and Potential Complications
Expected Benefits
The primary expected benefits of vitrectomy are the reattachment of the retina, clearance of vitreous blood, and removal of tractional forces on the macula. This halts progressive vision loss and, in many cases, allows for gradual improvement or stabilization of visual acuity over several months. Final visual results depend heavily on the pre-existing condition of the macula and optic nerve.
Reasonable Alternatives to Surgery
Right to Refuse or Withdraw Consent
You have the right to refuse this procedure or withdraw your consent at any time before the surgery begins without penalty or adverse effect on your medical care. Your surgeon will discuss the visual prognosis if you decline surgery.
Questions and Understanding Confirmation
I confirm that I have reviewed this consent form with my surgeon. I understand the strict postoperative positioning requirements, the altitude restriction associated with gas bubbles, the high likelihood of cataract acceleration, and the risk of recurrent retinal detachment. All my questions have been answered.
Language Access and Interpreter Services
If English is not your primary language or if you require assistance communicating, a qualified medical interpreter is available to you at no cost. Please notify your care team if you require interpreter services before signing this document.
Copy of Consent Acknowledgment
I acknowledge that I have been offered a signed copy of this informed consent form for my own records. I understand I may request an additional copy at any time from the facility or clinical records department.
Patient Authorization
I have been informed of the vitrectomy procedure, its expected benefits, the material risks listed above, and available alternatives. I consent to proceed with vitreoretinal surgery on the operative eye indicated above, including the use of intraocular gas or silicone oil tamponades as decided by the surgeon.