AAP leader Raghav Chadha undergoes vitrectomy. How risky is the ...

Aam Aadmi Party leader Raghav Chadha had emergency eye surgery in London recently to treat a retinal hole. He underwent vitrectomy to prevent retinal detachment in his eye. The AAP MP is currently under rest and has been asked not to venture out in the sun.

A vitrectomy is performed to take out the gel-like substance, vitreous gel, formed inside the eye. This allows doctors to reach the back of the eye where the retina is. The surgery is performed to treat various eye ailments including retinal detachment, damage from diabetes, eye infections and serious eye injuries.

In the case of retinal hole, surgery is necessary to improve vision. Vitreous gel is removed to prevent it from pulling on the retina and is replaced with a bubble containing a mixture of air and gas. This bubble holds the edges of the muscular hole closed until it heals. On average, the expected recovery timeline is 2 to 4 weeks. However, it could take several months for the vision to fully recover. According to doctors, the vision is likely to be blurry for a few weeks and it may take upto three-six months for the vision to fully improve.

Things to avoid after undergoing vitrectomy
There are certain things you should not do right after undergoing a vitrectomy. Do not do things that might cause you to move your head including moving quickly, lifting anything heavy or doing activities like cleaning or gardening.

Treatment costs
 The cost of vitrectomy may vary based on your health insurance plan and the surgeon you choose to do the procedure, opines experts. In India, the treatment starts from approximately Rs. 60,000 and it goes up to Rs. 1 lakh. As per Newmedica, a UK-based eye clinic, the procedure could cost approximately 5,995 British pounds, equivalent to Rs 6.25 lakh. 

 Risks
What are the risks associated with vitrectomy? Though vitrectomy is a low-risk procedure with a high chance of success, it does involve some risks. There is a chance you might get an infection and bleeding in the eye, a cataract, formation of too much scar tissue in the eye and a decrease in vision or even blindness.