Present surgical approaches to vitrectomy

The present techniques of vitrectomy employ the open sky method (anterior approach) which is usually performed using cellulose sponges and blunt scissors, or the pars plana approach (transcleral approach) which uses a vitreous nibbler. The indications for each technique and the techniques themselves are briefly discussed. In addition, mechanical vitreous nibblers used for the open sky approach are reviewed. The results of present techniques of anterior vitrectomy are better than the results obtained when no vitrectomy was performed for vitreous loss. The results of pars plana vitrectomy for certain pathologic entities compare favorably to results obtained in vitrectomies performed during keratoplasties. Newer surgical approaches to the vitreous and other technical advances promise to greatly improve the results of vitreous surgery.